Estonia 0-1 Brazil August 2009 see the highlights

Luís Fabiano scores against Estonia

Brazil made hard work of a testy match against Estonia in Tallinn. In the end, a late first-half goal by Luís Fabiano was all that separated Brazil from a country 112^th in the FIFA world rankings.

Despite being a meaningless ‘friendly’, the confrontation was littered with bad tackles by both sides. Kruglov was sent off for Estonia and Brazil were fortunate not to see anyone red-carded. Flamengo midfielder, Kleberson, suffered a shoulder injury and could be out for up to 15 weeks.

Whenever Brazil are pitted against a weak team such as Estonia, the South Americans are expected to win by a landslide. For coach Dunga, these fixtures are always problematic because even a win is not usually good enough for Brazil’s notoriously fickle fans. Privately, Dunga must be furious with the Brazilian Football Confederation that for the most part continues to put financial gain ahead of organizing some decent opposition for Brazil.

This match was of little value to the Seleção in their build up to September’s meeting with Argentina in the WC qualifiers. But it did extend their unbeaten record to 17 matches. Not that any of that will matter when Brazil head south for a meeting with their archenemies on September 5^th.  

See the highlights

Estonia 0-1 Brazil

Data: 12/09/2009

Stadium: A Le Coq, Tallinn, Estonia

Referee: Martin Ingvarsson, Sweden

Estonia: Sergei Pareiko, Enar Jääger, Alo Bärengrub, Ragnar Klavan, Raio Piiroja, Aleksandr Dmitrijev (Martin Vunk), Konstantin Vassiljev, Sando Puri (Purje), Joel Lindpere (Dmitri Kruglov), Tarmo Kink (Kristen Viikmäe), Sergei Zenjov (Vladimir Voskoboinikov)

Coach: Tarmo Ruutli

Brazil: Julio César, Maicon (Daniel Alves), Lucio (Miranda), Luisão, André Santos, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Kleberson (Elano), Kaká (Julio Baptista), Robinho (Diego Tardelli), Luis Fabiano (Nilmar)

Coach: Dunga

Goal: Luis Fabiano 42nd minute

Yellow cards: Dmitrijev, Pareiko (Estonia); Lúcio, Felipe Melo, Luisão, Daniel Alves, Nilmar (Brazil)

Red Card: Kruglov