Gilberto played 90 minutes against Ecudor
October 13, 2006
Goals from Kaka and Fred helped Brazil to victory in a difficult and dirty game against South American neighbours Ecuador.
The game held in a full Rasunda stadium in Sweden started well, with Ecuador confidently playing the ball, never in awe of their opponents and to the surprise of the crowd managed to go ahead in the 23rd minute. When Edison Mendez produced an inswinging cross from the right and striker Borja headed past Gomes.
The game descended into a scrappy battle with both teams pulling no punches. After a scuffle with Dudu Cearense, Valencia was dismissed, the Ecuadorian appeared to have elbowed Dudu in the chest and the Brazilian went down clutching his face.
Brazil pressed forward with the one man advantage. Eventually breaking through when Fred, fired home from 12 metres after Giovanny Espinoza sent a dreadful clearance straight to him.
In the second half Ronaldinho came on and Brazil maintained control. But Ecuador defended well until Kaka, connected with Ronaldinho’s cross to fire in the winner in the 74th minute.
Dunga looked happy to have come out winner in a game that probably was his toughest challenge so far.
Brazil: Gomez, Maicon (Daniel, 69), Lucio, Juan, Dudu Caerense (Ronaldinho, 45), Adriano, Elano (Mineiro, 90), Gilberto Silva, Fred (Rafael Sobis, 78), Kaka, Robinho.
Ecuador: Cristian Mora, Ivan Hurtado, Ulises de la Cruz, Edison Mendez (Patricio Urrutia, 77), Felix Borja (Edmundo Zura, 63), Felipe Caicedo (Luis Saritama, 45), Paul Ambrossi, Segundo Castillo, Antonio Valencia, Giovanni Espinoza, Edvin Tenorio.
As the report shows; Gilberto played 90 minutes. This is going to make him very tired for the Watford game tomorrow, which he is expected to start in.
Good luck Bert; and please don’t get injured! Thank you.