Brazil U20 Head Coach Rogério Micale has admitted the ‘red card helped’ his side in their victory over Hungary.
The Seleção Sub-20 benefitted from the 16th minute dismissal of defender Krisztián Tamás, as they came from behind to win 2-1 in their second Group E match at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Brazil had been trailing to Bence Mervó’s 8th minute strike when Tamás was sent off, but rallied and eventually turned the game around in the second half, with Danilo and Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira, from the penalty spot, completing the comeback.
Speaking after the contest, Micale conceded that the dismissal of Tamás aided his team, but was pleased to secure the win, despite Hungary’s resilience.
“Of course the red card helped us,” he said, as reported by FIFA’s official website. “But we expected a difficult game even with the player being sent off because we knew that Hungary have a very strong team.
“Their coach also made some changes in the team and they were a little bit stronger in defence. But we tried to make as much of that advantage as we could and are very happy to have secured the victory.”
That win ensures Brazil have qualified for the knockout round with a game to spare.
They beat Nigeria 4-2 in their opening match and will face North Korea on Sunday. A point in that encounter would guarantee top spot.
