Mexico City, August 2: Brazil ripped Saudi Arabia 8-2 and host Mexico edged the United States 1-0 in extra time in semi-finals yesterday, advancing to the championship matchof the inauguralFfa Confederation Cup.Both finalists are unbeaten in the tournament entering wednesday's title match here. The US team and Saudis meet tomorrow in Guadalajara for the third place match.
The Saudis equalised on goals by Marzouk al Otaibi in the 22nd and 30th minutes. But Ze Roberto put Brazil on top to stay in the 33rd and Alex boosted the half-time margin to 4-2 with a goal in the 35th minute.
Roni boosted Brazil's lead in the 61st minute. Ronaldinho found the net again in the 64th and 90th minutes and Alex added his second goal in the 74th.
Cuauhtemor Blanco broke the US-Mexico deadlock with a 94th minute `Golden goal' before 60,000 fans.
The US team, which beat Germany earlier in the tournament, went into the game with five men at the back and four in midfield, intent on soaking up pressure while hoping tocounter-attack.
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Brazil, often considered the best team in the world, was heavily favored against the relatively unknown Saudis. But Saudi Arabia came out fighting, pressing the Brazilians closely and mounting strong attacks from the start.
The Brazilians responded with a strong offense, although Saudi Arabia often found holes in its defence, especially in the first half.
In the seventh minute, Joao Carlos tapped a corner kick from Alex into the right side of the goal. Three minutes later, Ronaldinho took the ball up the middle all alone and drove it to the left of goalkeeper Mohammed al Deayea.
In the 21st minute, Al Otaibi surprised the Brazilians, taking the ball up the center and scoring with a shot into the right side of the net. Nine minutes later, he dribbled the ball up the right side of the field and scored again to the left of goalkeeper Dida.
Three minutes later, Alex centered a ball for Brazil and Ze Roberto headed it in for Brazil's third goal. The two reversed roles twominutes later, with Alex heading in a center from Ze Roberto to make it 4-2.
A heavy rain began to fall early in the second half, and players kicked up splashes with every step. The game slowed - but the Brazilians continued to score.
In the 58th minute, Vampeta made a nice pass to Roni, who dribbled around the goalie and tapped in the ball. A minute later, Ronaldinho kicked in another corner from Alex. He slid headfirst across the soggy field in celebration.
In the 84th minute, Alex took the ball up the middle all alone, kicking a shot off the goalie, then taking the rebound into the net. And in the 92nd minute, Ronaldinho shot another one in to the left of the goalie.
The game was violent, especially in the first half, and medical teams pulled players off the field in stretchers five times. Most of the players returned to the field, but Evanilson was carried off in the 14th minute after colliding with another player. The team said he pulled a muscle.
Kasey Keller was brilliant in goal for theUnited States, but Blanco finally broke through in the 95th minute for the persistent Mexican attack.
Blanco, tied up by Jeff Agoos and later Eddie Lewis throughout most of the game, first tried to kick the loose ball with his right foot, but it bounced off a defender as Keller went to his left. Blanco then just pushed it in for his fifth goal of the tournament.
The United States, playing at Mexico City's 2,240-metre with less than two days of rest, fell short in its bid for its first ever victory over Mexico at Azteca.
Mexico had their first chance in regulation play in the second minute when blanco served a pass to Isaac Terrazas down the right alley, but Keller stopped Terrazas' low shot.
Mexico relied on speed, sending their attack down the right side with Terrazas and Jose Manuel Abundis up front and Blanco and Ramon Ramirez as coordinators.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.