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Loss to Paraguay heaps pressure on Brazil manager
16/06/2008 - 7:49:24 AM
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas enabled 10-man Paraguay to remain on top of the South American qualifying zone with a convincing victory over Brazil on Sunday.
Not even the 48th-minute dismissal of Dario Veron could derail the home side.
Santa Cruz put them ahead after 26 minutes and Cabanas doubled their advantage shortly after Veron was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card after mis-timing a tackle on Robinho.
Cabanas could have opened the scoring in the 24th minute but his shot cannoned back off the post.
Santa Cruz was on target two minutes later, however, firing home after Cabanas flicked on a corner for the Blackburn striker to convert.
The sending-off of Veron could have changed the game but Paraguay refused to buckle and added to their lead a minute later, Santa Cruz's storming run down the left resulting in a shot which Brazil keeper Julio Cesar could only palm into the path of the onrushing Cabanas.
The 10 men of Paraguay could have added a third but Cabanas' 57th-minute shot struck the bar. Santa Cruz also had a chance from the rebound but failed to hit the target.
Brazil coach Dunga adopted an uncharacteristic aerial approach thereafter, ordering his players to loft the ball forward to Julio Baptista and Adriano but the Paraguay defence stood firm.
The defeat, which comes hot on the heels of a 2-0 friendly loss to Venezuela, led to the Brazil fans present to call for the sacking of Dunga.
Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Argentina could now determine his future.
Next up for Paraguay is a trip to Bolivia, also on Wednesday.
After the game, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino hailed his team's fighting spirit in holding on despite playing most of the second half a man light.
16/06/2008 - 7:49:24 AM
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas enabled 10-man Paraguay to remain on top of the South American qualifying zone with a convincing victory over Brazil on Sunday.
Not even the 48th-minute dismissal of Dario Veron could derail the home side.
Santa Cruz put them ahead after 26 minutes and Cabanas doubled their advantage shortly after Veron was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card after mis-timing a tackle on Robinho.
Cabanas could have opened the scoring in the 24th minute but his shot cannoned back off the post.
Santa Cruz was on target two minutes later, however, firing home after Cabanas flicked on a corner for the Blackburn striker to convert.
The sending-off of Veron could have changed the game but Paraguay refused to buckle and added to their lead a minute later, Santa Cruz's storming run down the left resulting in a shot which Brazil keeper Julio Cesar could only palm into the path of the onrushing Cabanas.
The 10 men of Paraguay could have added a third but Cabanas' 57th-minute shot struck the bar. Santa Cruz also had a chance from the rebound but failed to hit the target.
Brazil coach Dunga adopted an uncharacteristic aerial approach thereafter, ordering his players to loft the ball forward to Julio Baptista and Adriano but the Paraguay defence stood firm.
The defeat, which comes hot on the heels of a 2-0 friendly loss to Venezuela, led to the Brazil fans present to call for the sacking of Dunga.
Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Argentina could now determine his future.
Next up for Paraguay is a trip to Bolivia, also on Wednesday.
After the game, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino hailed his team's fighting spirit in holding on despite playing most of the second half a man light.
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