A much-hyped friendly between the last and next
World Cup hosts lacked bite as the ‘Selecao’
exploited woeful Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
defending.
Oscar opened the scoring on 10 minutes, Neymar
struck once in the first half and twice in the second,
and Fernandinho got on the scoresheet as well, AFP
reports.
Brazil had won four previous games between the
countries since 1996 – all by one-goal margins –
but showed no mercy this time.
It was the final warm-up for the 2014 World Cup title
favourites before the May announcement of the 23-
man World Cup squad.
South Africa, who stunned World Cup and Euro title-
holders Spain 1-0 at the same stadium last
November, were overawed and outclassed.
Coach Gordon Igesund has been branded a ‘dead
man walking’ after poor tournament results and this
loss greatly lessens his chances of a new contract
in mid-year.
South Africa gave a first cap to 22-year-old
goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the absence of
injured captain Itumeleng Khune with centre-back
Thabo Nthethe taking over the armband.
Brazil also introduced new faces as coach Luiz
Felipe Scolari gave first starts to Bayern Munich
defender Rafinha and Manchester City midfielder
Fernandinho.
It did not take the South Americans long to establish
control before a crowd that grew to 51,000 after
heavy mid-day rain.
A Brazilian goal was inevitable and it arrived on 10
minutes as midfielder Oscar outpaced Nthethe to a
Rafinha pass and lobbed the ball over Williams.
Tortoise-slow Nthethe was suffering against the
slick visitors and his defensive partner Bongani
Khumalo was an early injury casualty, giving way to
Siyanda Xulu.
The persistent pressure told again on 41 minutes
with Neymar the scorer, hammering the ball past
Williams from close range.
Veteran Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was a virtual
spectator until first-half stoppage time when a Dean
Furman drive flashed just wide.
Brazil made a planned half-time change from a
yellow-and-blue outfit to an all-blue kit and 25
seconds into the second half they were three goals
ahead.
Neymar had time and space he would not normally
be accustomed to and he calmly lobbed the ball
over Williams.
South Africa introduced Ayanda Patosi just past the
hour and he almost scored with his first touch,
forcing Cesar into an acrobatic block.
Fernandinho netted 11 minutes from time, latching
on to a loose ball and giving Williams no chance,
and Neymar scored in stoppage time from point-
blank range.
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