Brazil take the honours once again
Gerardo Villalba (Conmebol) |
(FIFA.com) 07 Nov 2005
Brazil's U-15 side could not have dreamed of a better finale to the second South American Championship in Bolivia this weekend after comprehensively beating old foes Argentina 6-2 in the decider. Defending champions Paraguay joined the pair on the podium after a narrow 1-0 win over hosts Bolivia. Both games were played at the Estadio Ramón "Tahuichi" Aguilera in the eastern city of Santa Cruz.
The final triumph was a fitting end to a wonderful tournament for Edgar Pereira's young side. As well as finishing top scorers with 22 in seven games, Brazil also conceded fewest goals (six). The hero of the hour, Bernardo, finished as second highest scorer with six, just one less than Argentina's Federico Laurito. If that were not impressive enough, the champions also went away with the FIFA Fair Play Award after picking up just three yellow cards during the entire competition.
Rampant Brazil
Given the manner in which games between South America's big two are contested, not even the most optimistic Brazilian fan could have predicted such a margin of victory in the final - even less so given the semi-final results. While the young Auriverde were pushed all the way before finally overcoming Bolivia 3-2, Argentina were easing to a 2-0 win over Paraguay.
Argentina coach Miguel Ángel Tojo opted for a 4-4-2 formation against the Brazilians in a bid to control their opponent's menacing wing play. However, such was the forcefulness of Brazil's attacking play that his strategy soon proved inadequate. The young Albicelestes were still reeling from Alex's opportunistic opening goal (5'; 1-0) when Bernardo doubled Brazil's lead with an unstoppable 25-yard drive that gave goalkeeper Federico Nicosia no chance (11'; 2-0).
Forced to chase the game, Tojo had little option but to make changes. His first move was to ask substitute Roberto Vissio to play in the hole, giving the side a more attack-minded 4-3-1-2 formation. But by then the damage had already been done. Sensing blood, Brazil kept pressing and extended their lead with a second from Bernardo, this time from a free-kick (29'; 3-0).
| Fabio, Brazil's captain, holds aloft the trophy |
| Gerardo Villalba (Conmebol) |
According to Edgar Pereira, Brazil were "worthy winners". As his players mobbed each other in celebration, the coach said: "It's normal that they should celebrate like that, they thoroughly deserved their win. They know that to represent their country so early in their career is a rare privilege. Beating Argentina as they did, playing such spectacular football, is something they'll always remember."
Tojo, in contrast, was forced to admit that the game had been torturous. "I'm not going to pretend that there weren't moments when I just wanted the game to be over. If that kind of result can distress an adult like that, can you imagine how much it could affect a youngster on his first trip abroad coming face to face with Brazil. However, we mustn't let this result detract from the good work the team have done. They'll have a chance to get revenge some day, which is what I told them in the dressing room."
Paraguay, but only just
The Guaranís had shown themselves to be a defensively solid unit in their early games, a feature that was again in evidence in their third-place match with Bolivia. Winning and keeping the lion's share of possession, they managed to create the game's best chances while allowing their opponents very few. With 18 minutes on the clock, Paraguay were awarded a penalty, but Leonardo Lezcano squandered the opportunity. The defending champions continued to search for an opening but continued to be denied. Their efforts finally paid off when a Rubén Pizurno free kick finally broke the deadlock (35', 1-0).
The second half saw the hosts come back strongly and pin back their opponents in their own half. Though Pablo Zabala, Carlos Sabja and Alexander Medina all had multiple opportunities to restore parity, none were able to take them, and Paraguay hung on to claim third place.
| Paraguay's Aldo Snead contests the ball with Bolivia's Lorgio Suarez during the third-place match |
| Gerardo Villalba (Conmebol) |
Jhonny Medrano, the Bolivia coach, was also looking on the bright side afterwards. "All things considered, this has been a positive and fruitful experience. No one gave us a chance before the tournament started, but we showed that with hard work and commitment from our federation we could get good results. The U-15s have good values and standards, which is why I believe I should keep working with them. If they still want me, I'll be there," he said.
Semi-finals 02.11.05
Brazil 3-2 Bolivia
Argentina 2-0 Paraguay
Third-placed game - 04.11.05
Bolivia 0-1 Paraguay
Final - 04.11.05
Brazil 6-2 Argentina
Goal scorers:
-7 goals: Federico Laurito (Argentina)
-6 goals: Bernardo (Brazil)
-5 goals: Juan Pablo Zabala (Bolivia) and André (Brazil)
-4 goals: Alex (Brazil)
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