Brazil Asserts Their Dominance in a 4-2 Victory over Ecuador

Neymar and Pato each bagged a brace in Brazil's Copa America victory over Ecuador. The victory sees Brazil progress to the next round of the Copa America, after a shakey start which saw them draw their opening two matches. Brazil will face Paraguay in the quarter finals, where they will look to record a victory after a 2-2 draw in the group stage.
The squads lined up as follows:
Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Andre Santos; Lucas Leiva, Ramires, Ganso, Robinho, Neymar; Alexandre Pato

Ecuador: Elizaga. Reasco, Araujo, Erazo, Ayovi; Minda, Noboa, Arroyo, Mendez; Benitez, Caicedo

Notable inclusions Maicon and Robinho were brought in to provide some experience in a Brazilian squad which has lacked a presence going forward in their previous two clashes. Alves was dropped to the bench for Maicon.

Neymar came out with a point to prove in the first halve, the youngster being criticised for his lack of showing in the past two group matches. This point became most apparent when Neymar launched a shot within the first five minutes, being tipped just over the bar by Elizaga.

Ecuador were matching it with Brazil for most of of the first half, knocking the ball around nicely, clearly dominating the midfield in the early exchanges. It wasn't until the 30th minute until we saw the first goal, Ac Milan superstar Pato latched onto a ball by Andre Santos to calmly slot home 1-0 Brazil.
Brazil continued to press from here, until their rhythm was disrupted by a mistake from usually reliable Julio Cesar. A shot by Caicedo was fumbled, in turn leaking a goal, levelling up things on the day 1-1, as the match entered half time. It couldn't come soon enough for the Seleção, who were under the pump in the closing exchanges of the match.

Alternatively the five time World Champions came out firing yet again, scoring again through Neymar in the 48th minute of the match. A beautifully weighted pass from Ganso, was directed straight into his path. Brazil were up 2-1, and looking to cruise through the final exchanges of the match.
It proved to be Brazil who let their lead slip yet again, in similar fashion Caicedo launched a shot at Cesar who was unable to defend his near post, resulting in Ecuador levelling the match 2-2 in just the 58th minute. The travelling fans were as loud as ever, being treated to a goal scoring feast in a match where there was nothing to split the two teams.

Neymar was desperate to add to his tally and just two minutes later, tried his luck with a powerful shot, which was fumbled by Elizaga only to be tapped in by Pato, who restored Brazil's lead, securing a brace in the process. Ecuador had all the work to do with just half an hour remaining, down 3-2.
Maicon and Robinho justified their selection in the starting eleven, proving to be the catalysts for the second goal. A powerful, flowing move down the right resulted in a perfectly weighted ball straight to the feet of Neymar who put Brazil 4-2 up on the day.

In the closing minutes, Brazil were denied a goal after Robinho's effort was disallowed. Ecudaor threw everything at Brazil but were unable to get a goal back. Two keeping errors resulted in Brazil having to score four times. A great showing by Pato and Neymar, as well as Maicon and Robinho.

FINAL SCORE—BRAZIL 4 (Neymar 2, Pato 2) : ECUADOR 2 (Caicedo 2)

Why Marcelo should not send emails....

Real Madrid back Marcelo has certainly proven his worth this year at Madrid, playing in what was probably his most successful season. Many will be wondering why the superstar back was left out of the Brazilian squad to compete in the Copa America tournament. Well here's why:

Marcelo accidentally sent an email to Brazilian manager Mano Menezes claiming he had lied about an injury to avoid a friendly against Scotland. The Brazilian manager caused much controversy when he left the Madrid back off the list, but after justifying why this was the case, the media attention has shifted back to Marcelo.

Menezes went on to say that he would not prevent Marcelo from being a part of the squad in the future. However the left back will have to more than prove himself to be re-considered. Marcelo will not play in the Copa America.

And that's why Marcelo should never again send an email.

The Brazilian Hope - Neymar

Brazil have long been a huge footballing nation with a fiery passion for the beautiful game and a hotbed of talent. The likes of Pelé, Romário, Jorginho and until more recent times, Ronaldinho and El Fenómeno himself have all called Brazil their home.

With the national team boasting a pedigree of 5 World Cups, 3 Confederations Cups and 8 Copa América titles, it is no wonder that the biggest clubs in the world invest heavily in young Brazilian talent in the hope of uncovering the latest of a long, illustrious line of Brazilian legends. However, not every player from makes that exclusive list.

One may remember a certain Kerlon, made infamous by his audacious seal dribbles. He was plagued by a series of knee injuries which hampered his progress at Inter and Ajax. Touted as the new Ronaldinho, he has looked nothing like that part ever since.

Similar hype is now surrounding Neymar da Silva, who spearheads Brazilian side Santos' formidable attacking line-up. He has already been linked to high-profile moves to European soil over the past two years. The pursuit of his signature has now been stepped up following the string of international friendlies over the past week. But will he go on to match the success of his legendary predecessors before him? Or will he flatter to deceive and end up with no more than burgeoning potential?

Comparisons to Pelé and Robinho, both of which featured for Santos at some point in their respective careers, are simply inevitable. With bags of tricks and shimmies, blistering pace and a killer eye for goal, he has been deemed ready for the huge hurdle of European football by many in the business. Some have even gone so far as to claim that he already is of more quality than Robinho. But his lean frame will pose a problem to maximising his effectiveness on the pitch, as has been the problem with most Brazilian players. It will be something he definitely has to work on before heading abroad for greener pastures.

What Neymar needs now is to make an educated decision. The promise of a lavish lifestyle, as part of liberation from the favelas, is especially alluring for the new generation of Brazilians. The rise of the real (local currency) allows them to set their sights even further abroad. Brazil's improving economy injects quality into the local leagues since clubs enjoy more purchasing power and are empowered to build better facilities. But it also drives some of the best members of the next wave of talents away from their homeland in a gold rush-esque chase for a better quality of life. Players such as Neymar run the risk of failing to adapt, being subjected to negative influences abroad and suffering from homesickness; all of which more than able to deal him a crippling blow at this premature stage in his career.

At the age of 19, the diamond that is Neymar is still raw and uncut. The elements of his game are slowly starting to fall into place and the outlook is exceptionally promising. However, he is plagued by a plethora of bad habits. These include florid dribbling, excessive showboating and a hazardous penchant for taking goalscoring opportunities casually. He has a worrying history of fluffing penalties, with his audacious chipped shot against Vitoria in the Copa Do Brasil Final ending horribly in the keeper's grateful arms and lazy attempt against Ceara going nowhere near the net. He is more than happy to theatrically hurl himself to ground with the slightest contact. He treats a football match like a kickabout in the local park. He hogs the ball with a childish insistence on taking on defences all on his own. He vents his frustration with hissy fits and a words that could only be politely described as “colourful”. The imperfections that threaten to compromise the player that he can become.

That said, his maiden outing in the yellow of the Seleção was nothing short of a success. His single goal against the USA in a friendly doesn't even come close to illustrating the brilliant show he put on against robust resistance. Over a few days ago, he gave what was a definite man-of-the-match performance against Scotland, contributing a goal in each half- enough to secure a victorious trip for Brazil. Running this way and that down both wings with guile and lethal attacking intent, he proved to be simply unplayable. With a grin of enjoyment on his face and a spring in his step, he darted in and out of defences and danced around defenders with such flair that Brazil's failed “six appeal” in the World Cup seemed little more than a bad dream. A sign perhaps, that backlines of tough-tackling defenders and midfield destroyers just won't be enough to stop the boy wonder from weaving his beautiful magic.


Neymar's precocious talent and promise means he has to be handled and nurtured carefully. He is one of a select bunch of players that come once a blue moon to set the world stage alight with their craft. It is in his destiny to bear the torch that has been set alight since the days of Garrincha. But the question is, how will he play his cards from here on?

Carlo Ancelotti has recently dispelled rumours of Chelsea's interest in the young Brazllian and Neymar himself has expressed interest in playing for Juventus and Barcelona. Even Manchester United, long peripheral figures in the transfer market, have reportedly been involved in talks with his representatives. A transfer at this point to clubs of such a calibre would surely be an impulsive gamble. It would simply be irrational for a player as young as he to vie for the first-team football in some of the biggest sides in the pantheon of European football.

The direction in which Neymar plots his path from here on can only be left to wild speculation. But all we have to do, really, is to sit back, marvel and enjoy as he grows to become even more devastatingly adept with the ball at his talented feet each passing day and writes his own history as he goes along.

By Joshua Tong Lok