|
Ronaldo and Ronaldinho shine
22/08/2007 21:24 - (SA)
Yerevan - An outstanding goal from
Cristiano Ronaldo rescued a 1-1 draw for Portugal in their Euro
2008 qualifier against a spirited Armenia on Wednesday.
The Manchester United winger robbed an opponent in the 38th
minute and weaved and jinked his way into the penalty area
before sliding the ball into the net.
Robert Arzumanyan had given the home team the lead when he
headed in a corner in the 10th minute.
The draw kept Portugal in the hunt to qualify from a tight
Group A. They remain third with 15 points from eight games, four
points behind Poland and two adrift of Finland.
Armenia are out of the running on eight points.
In Montpellier, France - Maicon and Ronaldinho scored second-half goals to give Brazil a 2-0 win over Algeria in a friendly international.
Maicon nodded in a corner kick from Ronaldinho in the 63rd minute, and the Barcelona playmaker doubled the lead in the 81st by tucking home a low shot from Diego that was deflected by goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.
"It's a pleasure to come back in France, have a good game, and help the Selecao," Ronaldinho said.
Brazil dominated ball possession in the first half but failed to convert that into goals.
Maicon connected with Robinho in the sixth, but the Real Madrid forward's curling drive was punched away by Gaouaoui.
The Algeria goalkeeper then denied Elano in the eighth, and blocked an angled shot from Julio Baptista in the 30th.
Mineiro slipped a through ball to Vagner Love in the 34th, but Gaouaoui rushed outside his area to stop the CSKA Moscow striker.
Algeria retaliated on counterattacks.
Competitive in Africa
Set up by Karim Ziani, Rafik Saifi broke the offside trap in the 23rd. But Saifi lost his one-on-one dual against goalkeeper Doni, who tackled the ball as the Lorient forward attempted to dribble past him.
"We played some nice football," Ziani said. "We don't have to be ashamed. ... We have to keep on improving so that we can become competitive in Africa."
Ronaldinho and Kaka came off the bench in the second half to boost Brazil's offense.
Ronaldinho had a curling free kick on target in the 47th, but Gaouaoui made the save. The Barcelona playmaker crossed the ball to Kaka in the 60th but the AC Milan midfielder's volley from the edge of the box was diverted by defender Ismael Bouzid.
Algeria had opportunities to score a consolation goal in the second half but lacked the finishing touch.
Karim Matmour stole the ball in midfield in the 57th to shoot from the edge of the box, but Doni made the save.
Nadir Belhadj's cross from the left flank in the 68th found Saifi in the area but his header went wide.
"We played against a great Brazilian team this evening," Saifi said. "The most important is to qualify for the African Cup tournament."
Algeria takes on Gambia in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sept 9.
The Montpellier friendly was Brazil's first match after its victory in the Copa America last July in Venezuela.
Brazil will face the United States on Sept 9 and Mexico on Sept 12 before starting 2010 World Cup qualifying in October.
|
Rugby
