Brazil 2 v 1 Austria: Match Report

Brazil were unchanged from the 4-0 drubbing of Turkey. They lined up with Diego Alves; Danilo, Miranda, David Luiz. F. Luis; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho; Willian, Oscar, Neymar, Luiz Adriano. Austria were on a high after having defeated Russia in the European qualifiers. For Brazil only an injection of self-esteem was at stake to finish their annus […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-11-18 23:03:00

Brazil were unchanged from the 4-0 drubbing of Turkey. They lined up with Diego Alves; Danilo, Miranda, David Luiz. F. Luis; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho; Willian, Oscar, Neymar, Luiz Adriano. Austria were on a high after having defeated Russia in the European qualifiers. For Brazil only an injection of self-esteem was at stake to finish their annus horribilis. 

Austria were not shy. Arnautovic was lively on the left in the opening exchanges. Okotie, who plays for Munich 1860 and scored the winner against Russia, had the ball in the back of the net early on, but he had clearly used his hands in beating Diego Alves and the referee booked him.

Austria had the majority of possession as Brazil often failed to retain the ball. The Brazilian backs barely passed the halfway-line and Brazil’s front players were mostly invisible.

Okotie came close again after 25 minutes, but his header against the post was from an offside Brazil. Then, in an ironic twist of fate, Miranda got injured and Thiago Silva replaced him. For most of the week, Silva had been at the centre of a storm after criticizing captain Neymar. 

Finally, after 33 minutes, Oscar provided what resembled a first bit of danger from Brazil, but his meek shot was easily saved by Austrian goalkeeper Almer. Gradually Brazil tried to restore the balance of play. David Luiz’s free-kick from long range sailed just over the bar.

“We need to pass faster,” said Oscar to TV Globo’s Mauro Naves at half-time. But Brazil did not take to Oscar’s half-time message, or at least the Austrians stood firm and congested the field. They took off striker Okotie for Sabitzer after 53 minutes.

Dunga tried to shake up things at the hour mark by bringing Roberto Firmino and Douglas Costa for Luiz Adriano, who had another indifferent game, and Willian. Brazil were not precisely brimming with life as a consequence, but David Luiz did put the visitors ahead, against the run of play, with a header from Oscar’s corner. His man-marker slipped and Junuzovic was unable to clear on the line. 

The goal did not disguise Brazil’s many shortcomings and after 74 minutes Austria got a deserved equalizer. Oscar fouled Weimann, who had replaced Junuzovic minutes earlier, inside the box and central defender Dragovic converted the subsequent penalty from the spot.

Dunga replaced Oscar with Fred, while Arnautovic made way for Ulmer at the Austrian end. But Dunga seemed unwilling to take a lot of his risks. Next he brought on Casemiro for Fernandinho, two very similar players. These substitutions were just a repeat from the Turkey game.

And just as Brazil seemed incapable of much, Firmino struck. Neymar and Filipe Luis were involved with short touches before the Hoffenheim striker unleashed an excellent shot that was unstoppable for Ozcan.

In injury time, Marquinhos replaced Neymar, who passed the captain’s armband to Thiago Silva. 

Brazil held on to a flattering win in Vienna to maintain their 100 % record under Dunga. France in Paris is next for Dunga’s men come March 2015. 

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