Argentina and Brazil in role reversal

Source: China Daily | 08-20-2008 15:59

Argentina, often associated with pragmatic defence and gamesmanship, have adopted a stylish, passing game while Brazil have exchanged their previous flamboyance for brute force and counter-attacks.

Argentina's players celebrate their victory over Brazil in their  semi-final soccer match in Worker's Stadium during the 2008  Beijing Olympics, August 19, 2008. [Agencies]

Although Olympic soccer is an under-23 tournament, with three over-age players allowed in each squad, Tuesday's semi-final teams were mirror images of the senior sides.

Argentina, inspired by forward duo Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi, provided the artistry and Brazil, led by senior coach Dunga, used rough-arm tactics that resulted in red cards for midfielders Lucas and Thiago Neves in the last 10 minutes.

"We won in the way we like to win, we kept faith in our style of play and we won deservedly," said playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, an over-age player.

Argentina coach Sergio Batista said his team had learned the painful lessons from last year's Copa America final in Venezuela, when the Brazilian style prevailed.

On that occasion, Argentina went into the final as hot favourites after sweeping their way to five successive wins with flowing football. But they ran into an ambush.

Brazil struck an early goal, managed to nullify Riquelme and Messi, hit them on the counter-attack and ran out emphatic 3-0 winners.