Brazil floor Bosnia thanks to late own goal
Updated: 2012-02-29 15:55
(Agencies)
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Brazil's Ronaldinho reacts during their friendly soccer match against Bosnia in St. Gallen, Feb 28, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
* Five-times world champions survive torrid test
ST GALLEN, Switzerland - Brazil's experimental team came through a torrid friendly against Bosnia on Tuesday, winning 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time own goal by Sasa Papac after several near misses from the East Europeans.
Coach Mano Menezes is still struggling to find the ideal lineup for the 2014 World Cup hosts but Marcelo gave them a fourth-minute lead.
Vedad Ibisevic levelled for Bosnia nine minutes later following blunders by defender David Luiz and goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Both teams missed chances until Papac turned the ball into his own goal in the 91st minute as he tried to clear Hulk's powerful low cross.
Ronaldinho, who made his international comeback against Ghana last year, was given another start but the 31-year-old was a shadow of his former self and was substituted in the second half.
The game appeared anything but a friendly with the Bosnia side playing as if the match was one of the most important of their careers.
Although it was staged in a Swiss second division stadium, the 17,500-capacity arena was packed with fanatical Bosnian fans who drowned out the Brazilian national anthem, jeered incessantly when the opposition had possession and threw flares on the pitch.
"The role of the supporters is to make conditions difficult for the opposition but it should never be done in excess," said Menezes who was also unhappy with some crunching tackles.
"Neymar suffered a criminal foul the first time he got the ball. That wasn't football."
Five-times world champions Brazil had plenty of the ball but rarely threatened while Bosnia were always menacing on the break.
Brazil's Neymar (R) challenges Bosnia's Emir Spahic during their friendly soccer match in St. Gallen, Feb 28, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
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