Bafowethu beaten by Brazil
2006-09-26 12:52
Cape Town - Bafowethu, South Africa's representatives in the Homeless World Cup, went down 6-5 to Brazil in a pulsating match at the Grand Parade in Cape Town on Monday afternoon.
The hosts were spurred on by the presence of Kaizer Chiefs stars, Shaun Bartlett and Siyabonga Nkosi, as well as Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp.
However, their presence could not provide a positive result in one of the best matches of the tournament thus far.
The hosts got off to a dream start went Gerald Bez put them ahead in the first minute, before doubling the lead a minute later via a penalty.
However, Brazil, who only arrived in the country on Monday morning, sparked into action as the game went on and pulled one back just before half-time to make the score 2-1 at the break, via a Mello Martins strike.
The South Americans got the second half off to a flying start as they scored three goals in quick succession, through a Wellington Vieira De Souza strike and a brace by Francisco Rezende to put Brazil 4-2 ahead.
South Africa responded through a brace by Nathan Abels to level the score at 4-4, before Brazil again scored two quick goals, but the hosts ensured for a pulsating finish as they hit back with another goal by Abels, securing his hat-trick, but the Brazilians held on to secure the win.
However, it was not all doom and gloom for South Africa, who went on to beat Hungary 7-2 later in the day to top Group E on six points, along with Chile, but the Bafowethu hold a far superior goal advantage and will thus progress to the Pool 1 in the next round of the competition.
Basic rules of street soccer:
Teams can be all male, all female or mixed
Maximum of four players per team on the pitch - three outfield players and goalkeeper
Plus four substitutes ('flying' or 'rolling' substitutions apply)
Squad may not exceed eight players
Matches consist of two halves of seven minutes each
Size of pitch or court: 22m x 16m
Goal size: 4m x 1.30m, depth approximately 1m
Ball size: normal ball used
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