Brazil remains unbeaten at the International Football Federation’s World Cup (FIFA). More than that: the second round of the tournament ended with 100% success. After wins from Palmeiras, Botafogo and Flamengo, Fluminense beat the South Korea’s Ulsan HD on Saturday 4-2 at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
The tricolor, who had tied goalless with Borussia Dortmund at the premiere, was the same four points as the Germans, but is in the lead of group F for the goal balance (two to one). The South Koreans, defeated in the first round 1-0 by the South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns, are no longer likely to go to the round of 16.
The last round of the group will be on Wednesday (25), with the games starting at 16h (Brasília time). To Fluminense, just a draw with Mamelodi at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to qualify for the next phase. If you want to advance as a key leader, Tricolor has to cheer for a Dortmund stumble against Ulsan at TQL Stadium in Cincinatti, or having better goals than the Germans – if they defeat the South Koreans.
Tricolor Bobeia in the 1st half
For this Saturday’s game, Renato Gaúcho promoted five changes in Fluminense. The coach cast Guga, Gabriel Fuentes, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Kevin Serna and Germán Cano – the latter recovered from a knee injury – in places of Samuel Xavier, Renê, Nonato, Agustín Canobbio and Everaldo, respectively.
As with the Germans, Tricolor commanded the offensive actions of the first stage. The Brazilian team had 61% in possession of the ball and finished 14 times, four of them towards the goal of Ulsan. On one of the opportunities, on 26 minutes, Jhon Arias took a free kick in the angle, opening the marker. Cariocas almost expanded in Fuente kicks and Serna, which Jo Hyeon-Woo spread.
The South Koreans, however, were extremely efficient in both chances they had in the first 45 minutes. At 36, Thiago Silva launched Ganso at the entrance of the area. The midfielder tried a heel pass, but was disarmed. On the counterattack, Darijan Bojanic found a Won-Sang on the right. The midfielder crossed low and Lee Jin-Hyun appeared free from the left to make everything the same.
Just before the break, at 47 minutes, already in additions, another ball wasted by Fluminense generated a deadly counterattack of Ulsan. After Bojanic intercepted his inauguration in the midfield, following a side of Guga, Juan Freytes pushed badly, Jin-Hyun dominated from the left and crossed to Won-Sang, head and unmarked, put the South Koreans ahead.
Insistence and turn
With Fluminense at a disadvantage, Renato put Everaldo in place of Goose in the return of the break, playing with two strikers and four men in front. The training – more offensive, but defensively disorganized – gave Ulsan to counterattack at speed, as at ten minutes, when Won -Sang received from Bojanic in the area and, with space, finished close to the post.
Gradually, however, the tricolor resumed the command of offensive actions. The draw came out of the feet of players who went to the field during the final stage. At 20 minutes, Nonato (who replaced Martinelli) took the ball in the middle and touched to pipe. The Argentine opened on the left to Keno (who entered the place of Serna) cross. The defender did not take well and left was with Nonato, who sent to the goal.
With the Ulsan physically exhausted, Fluminense intensified the pressure and got the turn at 37. After a corner kicks by the right, pipe tried to finish, did not take the ball well, but the kick served as assistance for Freytes to complete for the nets. At 46, Tricolor settled the match with Keno, which completed the intersection of Arias on the right. Party and relief from the Brazilian fans in New Jersey.
