BRAZIL FLATTER TO DECEIVE IN WORLD CUP CURTAIN RAISER……BUT GET THE JOB DONE NONETHELESS AGAINST A RATHER UNFORTUNATE CROATIA………..THE RECAP

Le Samba got off to winning ways in the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night in Sao Paulo.  Felipao’s men made sure their fans' nerves were high up in the early minutes when Marcelo inadvertently diverted a dangerous cross into his own net to hand the Croats the lead. It wasn’t part of the script, so the Selecao had to dig deep to dowse the anxiety that had gripped the stadium. True to type, main man 

Neymar rose to the occasion and scored the equaliser in what was his 32^nd International goal. All the good work was done by Chelsea’s Oscar who seemed to be pumped up and galvanised by the earlier announcement of Fabregas’ switch to West London. The 22-year old playmaker likened to greats like Kaka and adored by the even greater Zico, took matters into his own hands and provided the needed energy and guile to restore confidence in his side. Croatia were missing the aerial and attacking prowess of the suspended Mario Mandzukic and had to make do with the hardworking Ivica Olic, Ivan Perisic and ‘Jellyfish’ Jelavic in attack. The veteran Octopus, Stipes Pletikosa, was again chosen to keep goal. Vedran Corluka and Dejan Lovren had the uneivable task of keeping Fred and Neymar quiet and it was not for long that they had to provide answers to the questions the Samba attack posed. Have passed the first few tests, the Neymar question was left unanswered and the result was a deserved equalizer. 

The Barcelona star notched his 50^th cap-the youngest ever to do so and he was not done yet. The first half ended with both teams unable to add to the score line.

The second half wore on with both sides tearing at each other until twenty minutes to go. Fred tumbled easily under the slightest of challenges from Dejan Lovren and the Japanese man at the centre of proceedings wasted no time to point to the penalty spot. Modric and his teammates were livid, distraught and astounded at the rather appalling decision. Neymar was unperturbed by the uproar and in no mood for favours as he stepped up and swept the resultant penalty just out of the reach of the Octopus to give the hosts and hot favourites the lead. Croatia and Modric made Julio Cesar work subsequently but there was no route past the ex-Inter goalie. Oscar added gloss to the score line in stoppage time with a quality toe poke to end any withering dream of a Croatia comeback.

The hopes of the South Eastern European nation rested heavily on the shoulders of the RIC-TIC duo.  The senior member, Luka Modric was not his usual best, but showed flashes of the form that set him apart from everyone else in his position in the just concluded season. The Champions League winning gem was joined by Europa League winning and Barcelona bound playmaking genius, Ivan Rakitic in midfield but they couldn’t overpower the Gistavo-Paulinho combo the way they would have liked.  The ever dependable Darijo Srna, one of the World’s greatest fullbacks and Leader of the team, played out of his skin last night but it wasn’t enough to turn the match in Croatia’s favour. Niko Kovac would have liked MM to play but his hands were tied. He will hope to have his full complement of players on the 18^th of June when they face Cameroon. Time to go back to the drawing board for the ex-Croatian captain. Given the chance, he would have torn Yuichi Nishimura, the man at the centre, apart after the match but the most important step now is to re-strategize before Eto'o adds to their misery.

For the Selecao, they looked far from their best last night. Even though poster boy, Neymar delivered when it was most required, LFS (Luis Felipe Scolari) knows that to actualise the ambition of winning the World Cup, his team must be on a much higher level than they were against Croatia. Next Tuesday’s match v EL TRI (Mexico) will be much more difficult and testing. A repeat of yesterday’s sloppiness may well cost them dear. He must also make some adjustments to his starting eleven. Some players failed to come alive and other teams will definitely make them pay.

All in all, it was a good opening day for the Hosts. Neymar scored his 32^nd and 33^rd International goals in his 50^th cap, equaling Ronaldinho (33 in 97) and Jairzinho (33 in 89) and just one behind Rivaldo (34 in 74)  The star of the tournament so far, he may well surpass Pele’s 77 in 92 at this rate. He has arrived and there’s no stopping him.

Ohireime P Eboreime

@ohiskaka1990