News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » Brazil in CONCACAF semis

Brazil in CONCACAF semis

By German Fernandez-Moores
July 20, 2003 20:44 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Brazil captain Kaka led from the front, scoring both goals in his team's 2-0 victory over Colombia in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday.

World champions Brazil, who are without several of their more experienced players at the tournament, could have recorded a more emphatic win as they clinched a semi-final showdown with the holders, the U.S., in Miami on Wednesday.

"We could have had a bigger result," coach Ricardo Gomes told reporters.

Colombia were no match for their opponents and their coach, Francisco Maturana, said Brazil simply "played better and left us powerless at the end".

Kaka's first goal came in the 42nd minute when he surprised goalkeeper Farid Mondragon with the speed with which he converted a pass from Robinho.

The Brazil skipper followed up in the 66th minute with a powerful left-foot shot from outside the area that Mondragon could not get near.

Colombia were down to 10 men for the last eight minutes of the game after American referee Ken Stott sent off Julian Vasquez.

Gomes acknowledged that the game against the U.S. would be difficult.

"They have a lot of tactical discipline, they have experienced players and they have the home-team advantage," he said.

Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. crushed Cuba 5-0 in their quarter-final.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
German Fernandez-Moores
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025