Ghana, 1-0. Argentina, 2-0 (aggregate) Costa Rica, 1-0 Mexico, 2-1 Gabon, 2-0 Egypt, 2-0 Thus ends the most successful run of games Brazil has enjoyed during the Mano Menezes era. The largest streak of wins previous to this was back in the early days, when the Selecão ran off three consecutive victories over the US, Iran, and Ukraine
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Analyzing Brazil’s Recent Run of Form
Listening to Tim Vickery on a recent World Football Phone-In question prompted this article. The topic of discussion was David Luiz, and specifically David Luiz’s temperament – is the Chelsea centerback too rash to be relied upon in defense? It’s a topic we’ve discussed here on the Brazil World Cup Blog from time to time. We all know David Luiz’s virtues. He’s an exceptional athlete, he’s tremendously skilled on the ball (especially for a defender), he’s excellent in the air and he’s a talented shooter when the occasion arises. If you want your centerback to bring the ball out of defense quickly and spectacularly, there might not be a better player in football. Lucio might have something to say about that, but it’s possible that David Luiz has taken his place as the world’s most stellar practitioner of the “fuck this shit” run. Luiz’s flaws are equally notable. His positioning can be quite poor – witness in the Mexico game for Brazil, when both he and Marcelo strayed too far forward at inopportune times, leaving the back of the pitch unmanned. Twice Brazil was nearly burned by Mexican counterattacks, saved only by a faltering Chicharito and an off-his-line Jefferson.
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The Situational Player
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Rugby World Cup 2011: Sunday's quarter-finals as they happened
BBC Sport (blog) Wyn on Twitter: “So we have the same final 4 as in the 1st Rugby World Cup in '87 the last time it was held in NZ. Come on Wales! #BBCRWC” 1033: With a bit more Test match experience and without the yellow card that hindered them in the final quarter, … |
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Rugby World Cup 2011: Sunday’s quarter-finals as they happened – BBC Sport (blog)
 Sydney Morning Herald |
Wallabies get proper World Cup welcome
New Zealand Herald Several hundred fans came out to Aotea Square to watch their team get their official Rugby World Cup caps. A number of people were armed with Australian flags, while others proudly showed off their yellow shirts. But others were clearly more interested … Rugby World Cup 2011: Australia team guide World Cup – Match Facts: Australia v Italy Cooper ready for World Cup hostilities |
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Wallabies get proper World Cup welcome – New Zealand Herald
A very disappointing end to a very disappointing Copa America. The vultures are circling around Mano Menezes as we speak
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Brazil 0-0 Paraguay; Player Ratings
A wild, unpredictable 4-2 victory for Brazil capped off what in many ways was a wild, unpredictable group stage of the Copa America last night, in possibly the best match of the tournament so far. After a slow start, the competition has at last kicked into high gear. With seven draws and fourteen goals scored over the first nine matches, the Copa America looked likely to end up being summarized by a single word: dour
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Black Matt on the Group Stage