Gilberto for Brazil: Summer Roundup
June 28, 2008
So far this summer, Gilberto has played in Brazil’s two World Cup qualification games for the 2010 World Cup. Brazil have come under fire, along with a host of players, as well as manager Dunga. Criticisms levelled against A Selecao include playing boringly.
Brazil’s first qualification game was against Paraguay; Brazil lost 2-0. Sports Ya reported,
Paraguay crushed Brazil with a 2-0 win in Asuncion, to keep leading South American Qualifiers as “lord and master”, claim the media. Paraguayan sports papers stress the national team victory over Brazil and have headlines such as “They are the best,” “Dad rules at home,” crushing “Paraguayan rage”, and “Paraguayan show”.
Paper Abc Color labeled Argentine Gerardo Martino’s side as “Father of the wins and standings,” making reference to the matched played on Father’s Day and to the top of the South American Qualifiers table.
“Paraguay’s rage is impossible to master,” newspaper Ultima Hora claims, adding that the formation displayed by Paraguay coach “tied Brazil up”.
A big performance at home to Argentina was required, but Brazil could only manage a 0-0 draw with their blue rivals. FIFA.com reported:
It seems hard to believe it was only 11 months ago that Dunga, Brazil’s 1994 FIFA World Cup USAâ„¢-winning captain and current coach, masterminded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the Copa America. On Wednesday night, on home turf against the same opponents, the tactician was subject to the harshest wave of criticism in his long and fruitful involvement with the Seleção.
“So long, Dunga!” was just one of the discordious chants to fall upon the fiery coach’s ears over the course of an anaemic second half. With the visiting Albiceleste dominating possession and threatening to break the deadlock via Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, the 57,000 fans packed into the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte turned viciously on their team.
So far this summer, Gilberto has played in Brazil’s two World Cup qualification games for the 2010 World Cup. Brazil have come under fire, along with a host of players, as well as manager Dunga. Criticisms levelled against A Selecao include playing boringly.
Brazil’s first qualification game was against Paraguay; Brazil lost 2-0. Sports Ya reported,
Paraguay crushed Brazil with a 2-0 win in Asuncion, to keep leading South American Qualifiers as “lord and master”, claim the media. Paraguayan sports papers stress the national team victory over Brazil and have headlines such as “They are the best,” “Dad rules at home,” crushing “Paraguayan rage”, and “Paraguayan show”.
Paper Abc Color labeled Argentine Gerardo Martino’s side as “Father of the wins and standings,” making reference to the matched played on Father’s Day and to the top of the South American Qualifiers table.
“Paraguay’s rage is impossible to master,” newspaper Ultima Hora claims, adding that the formation displayed by Paraguay coach “tied Brazil up”.
A big performance at home to Argentina was required, but Brazil could only manage a 0-0 draw with their blue rivals. FIFA.com reported:
It seems hard to believe it was only 11 months ago that Dunga, Brazil’s 1994 FIFA World Cup USAâ„¢-winning captain and current coach, masterminded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the Copa America. On Wednesday night, on home turf against the same opponents, the tactician was subject to the harshest wave of criticism in his long and fruitful involvement with the Seleção.
“So long, Dunga!” was just one of the discordious chants to fall upon the fiery coach’s ears over the course of an anaemic second half. With the visiting Albiceleste dominating possession and threatening to break the deadlock via Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, the 57,000 fans packed into the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte turned viciously on their team.
BBC.co.uk reported the same thing.
Gilberto Silva, however, garnered some half-hearted praise [Goal.com] despite the draw:
Gilberto Silva 6.5/10: An acceptable performance from the defensive midfielder. Did well to break down some dangerous Argentine attacks. Still, more is expected of him.
Media-reportage aside, Gilberto has played 90 minutes in both qualifiers – this should keep him sharp for the start of Arsenal’s 2008-09 Premiership season.
Before that, though, is Brazil’s Olympic bid in Beijing, with Gilberto expected to play a key part in the tournament.