SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fireworks light up the sky as South African soccer fans celebrate Brazil beating the U.S in the Confederation Cup

Record ID: 452879

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fireworks light up the sky as South African soccer fans celebrate Brazil beating the U.S in the Confederation Cup
  • Date: 17th June 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED MAN SAYING: "Soccer is a sport which is unbelievable and full of surprises. When United States led with 2-0, I was saying 'The underdogs are making it!' But because of the pressure that the Brazilians put on them, they cracked at the back and that is how they lost the game. They could not keep up the pressure." FANS SINGING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED MAN SAYING: "Brazil ! You play Brazil with a fear that it is Brazil, you understand? But USA they are the best, not forgetting that they are from the last until to the finals, that's the best, that's 'Yes, we can'." VARIOUS OF FIREWORKS
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5GL7ONTLGVJY8KP4Z70XUR41K
  • Story Text: Fireworks lit the sky as hundreds of South African soccer fans celebrated the crowning of Brazil as the Confederation Cup champions on Sunday (June 28).
    Holders Brazil fought back from 2-0 down with three second-half goals to beat the United States 3-2 and win the cup for the third time in an entertaining final.
    The U.S., who shocked Spain in the semis, looked set to complete an even greater upset when goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan put them 2-0 ahead at halftime.
    Brazil captain Lucio completed his side's stunning recovery when he rose superbly to power home an Elano corner six minutes from time.
    Soccer fans watching the game in a fan zone in Mamelodi Township in Pretoria cheered as Brazil took the title. They were thrilled it was such an exciting game.

    "Soccer is a sport which is unbelievable and full of surprises. When United States led with 2-0, I was saying 'The underdogs are making it!' But because of the pressure that the Brazilians put on them, they cracked at the back and that is how they lost the game. They could not keep up the pressure," said one man.
    The match was a fitting climax to an outstanding tournament which provided shocks, excellent football and noisy crowds, auguring well for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
    Brazil had beaten the U.S. 14 times in 15 previous meetings but keeper Howard kept the outsiders firmly in control with a number of fine saves.
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