Following a hat-trick by Spanish Fernando Torres in the first day of group matches in the FIFA Confederations Cup, Kaka, Giuseppe Rossi and Mohamed Zidan rose in the tally of top scorers on Monday by scoring two goals apiece.
Brazilian soccer genius Kaka's two goals marked a turning point in the group match between the South American champions and their African counterpart Egypts in the Free State Stadium in the central South African city of Bloemfontein. Thanks to his performance, Brazil defeated Egypt 4-3.
Kaka bustled through Egyptian defendants and offered the first goal for the Selecao Brasileira in the fifth minute.
A handball of Egypt's Ahmed Al Muhamadi gave a precious chance to Brazilians who were eager to break the draw of 3-3 at the last minute of the match. Kaka made no mistake at this crucial moment and kicked the ball into the bottom right, leaving Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in agony.
Facing the powerful Brazilians, the Pharaohs chose a conservative starting line-up, leaving Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan as the sole forward with former African Player of the Year Mohammed Aboutreika in support.
The defensive posture failed to foil the attack from Brazilian talent Kaka who offered the first goal after bustling through Egyptian defendants in the Free State Stadium in the central South African city of Bloemfontein.
In the ninth minute, Zidan received a cross from Aboutreika and made a great run and a power header into the top right to level the game. However, Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano and defender Juan widened the gap to 3-1 with two brilliant headers before the break.
The Pharaohs staged brisk counterattack in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Midfielder Mohamed Shawky thrashed the ball into the bottom left on the edge of the box. One minutes later, Zidan scored his second goal by hammering home a pass from Aboutreika.
However, all these efforts became futile with the last-minute penalty.
Zidan told reporters after the match, "I am happy to be selected as player of the match. Of course for us as a team, it is a big game. In the first half the match was not as we expected and we made too many mistakes. "
"The coach gave us good information in the second half and we felt free to play. We deserve to have one point by this match, but the penalty in the last two minutes cost us everything," added Zidan.
Brazilian coach Dunga said the team had a tough match against Uruguay five days ago in a World Cup qualifier and had to take a 23-hour long trip.
"The players are very tired, but I am happy with the result," said Dunga.
In another group match in the South African administrative capital of Pretoria, Giuseppe Rossi proved that the choice of his coach Marcello Lippi was right by equalizing 1-1 in the 58th minute with a long rocket shot, just two minutes after his appearance in the field.
His teammate Daniele de Rossi continued the drive to victory in the 71st minute by sliding the ball in the side netting.
Rossi scored his another goal from close range, four minutes into stoppage times, sealing the victory the Azzurri's 3-1 victory.
Italy and Brazil head the group with three points apiece. Brazil will play with the United States at Loftus on Thursday afternoon in Pretoria, while Italy is poised to meet Egypt at Ellis Park on Thursday night in Johannesburg.
(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2009)
