Sorry Brazil fire blanks against Colombia

Brazil and Kaká floored by Colombia

Another home fixture, another lamentable performance from Brazil, and yet another 0-0 in their own backyard.

Brazil supporters thought they’d seen the worst when their team were held to a scoreless draws against Bolivia in September and Argentina in June.  

But Dunga’s men have now gone 312 minutes without scoring in front of their own fans. Incredibly, the last time Brazil struck at home was against Uruguay in November 2007 courtesy of Luís Fabiano.

While Colombia are no mugs, they have been going through a dodgy patch and this one should still have been a home win.

As it was, Brazil looked clueless throughout and rarely troubled Agustin Julio in Colombia’s goal.

Kaká and Robinho were poor but it will be Dunga that will take most of the flak for the disappointing result.  

Colombia settled much quicker, harrying Brazil and creating a number of half-chances. On Sunday, Brazil had put three past Venezuela by the 18 minute mark. Against Colombia, it took them 21 minutes before they even got a sniff at goal and that was a tame shot from Robinho straight at Agustín Julio.

Brazil looked disjointed and even the reliable Júlio César was guilty of dropping the ball when it should have been an easy take.

But on the 30 minute mark, the yellow and greens almost went in front when Agustín Julio spilled Juan’s header.

Lúcio had to come to the rescue when the ball was lost in midfield and Quintero broke with purpose down the centre.

With Kaká and Robinho misfiring, Brazil looked a disparate bunch and cries of ‘goodbye Dunga’ were soon ringing round the stadium. A contingent of the Brazil fans even began to ‘olé’ Colombia’s every touch.

The Brazilians had another opportunity just before half-time, but Jô hit the side-netting from close-range.

The Manchester City man also came close early in the second-period but despite the stop from Colombia’s keeper, the shot was always going wide.

Dunga made his first change 12 minutes in, taking off defensive midfielder, Elano, for the more attack-minded, Mancini.

Shortly after, Alexandre Pato was brought on for the ineffective Robinho who, despite appearing to be injured, was jeered off the pitch.

With his first touch, the AC Milan player almost scored but was always stretching to reach Kaká’s pass.

Dunga was then forced to make another switch after centreback Juan picked up a knock. Fluminense’s highly-rated Thiago Silva was the replacement.

However, Brazil’s shambolic performance failed to improve. Kaká remained out-of-sorts and though his reluctance to stay on his feet won Brazil a series of undeserved free-kicks he created little else.

While their keeper had nothing to do, Colombia continued to press and perhaps could have snatched it had Dayro Moreno not rushed his two chances towards the end of the match.

Brazil remain in second and return to World Cup qualifying action away to Ecuador in March 2009.

See the table and all the results here

Brazil 0-0 Colombia

Date: 15 October 2008

Venue: Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
Referee: Rubén Selman (Chile) Assistants: Lorenzo Acuña & Sergio Román (Chile)

Yellows: Bedoya, Vargas, Armero, Rentería (all Colombia)

Attendance: 54,910

Brazil: Julio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Juan (Thiago Silva), Kleber, Josué, Gilberto Silva, Elano (Mancini), Kaká, Robinho (Alexandre Pato), Jô.

Coach: Dunga

Colombia: Agustín Julio, Camilo Zuñiga, Luis Perea, Mario Yepes, Pablo Armero, Gerardo Bedoya (Abel Aguillar), Fabián Vargas, Freddy Guarín, Juan Carlos Toja, Darwin Quintero (Dayro Moreno), Wason Rentería (Adrian Ramos).

Coach: Eduardo Lara