Spirited Canada hold Brazil

Canada's commitment was never in question

Canada 0-0 Brazil

Canada deservedly recorded a draw against the World's second-best team, Brazil, after producing a gutsy performance in the Confederations Cup.

The result seemed unlikely before the match, even though Brazil had many of their top stars missing, with the likes of Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos still playing in Spain's Primera liga.

And Canada started the game clearly wary of the threat posed by Brazil and their tactics in the first half were designed to prevent an embarrassing scoreline.

But their confidence grew as the match wore on.

Former Fulham striker Paul Peschisolido's existence up-front gradually became less lonely as Canada provided support as they broke from their blanket defence.

But for the opening 20 minutes the match was played out in predictable fashion.

Awesome prospect

Brazil enjoyed almost total possession, but uncharacteristically failed to create a telling chance.

Left-back Leo, playing only his second international, looked Brazil's most dangerous player.

His pacy, weaving runs threatened to open up Canada and Leandro should have supplied the finishing touch to one of his mazy dribbles.

But Leandro, in acres of space, could only hit the side netting.

Leandro did put the ball in the back of the net, heading in a rebound from Washington's shot, but was ruled off-side.

In a rare Canadian attack, Stalteri showed some close control and pace, but his cross was cut out by Brazilian keeper Dida at the feet of the onrushing Bent.

Canada managed to shut-out Brazil

Later, Stalteri was guilty of heading over the bar, when he should have forced a save at least.

Canada, encouraged by their first-half display, signalled their greater attacking intent in the second-half.

Peschisolido struck a superb effort from 25 yards, curling a shot off the outside of his right boot, forcing Dida to make a fabulous save at full-stretch.

But Canada, who have scored only twice in their last 11 matches, were still finding a goal elusive.

Brazil came storming back as the game swung from end to end.

Leomar wasted a beautifully created chance after a swift counter-attack, blazing his hot high and wide.

Audacious effort

Robert's left foot shot drifted just wide of the up-right and Fabio turned the defence inside out, then hit a curling shot which crashed off the wood-work with Craig Forrest stranded.

Fabio's audacious attempted lob from just inside the Canadian half evoked memories of a similar effort from Pele.

It summed up the Brazilian's lack of cutting edge as they were reduced to long-range efforts.

Certainly, the Canadian defence can take a lot of credit for that.

And overall, it was the Brazilian defence which looked the shakier of the two, with a number of goalmouth scrambles as Canada searched for a winner.

In between Brazil's attacks, Canada had their chances to create history with their first victory over Brazil.

Peschisolido went close on a couple of occasions, but a draw looked inevitable.

And, in the end, Canada just deserved it.

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Canada: Forrest, Watson, Menezes, De Vos, Bent, Stalteri, Dasovic, Xausa, Brennan, Peschisolido, Mckenna. Subs: Clarke, Corazzin, Onstad, Fletcher, Imhof, Hastings, De Rosario, Nsaliwa, Bircham, Franks.

Brazil: Dida, Ze Maria, Lucio, Edmilson, Leo, Leomar, Miguel, Fabio, Washington, Ramon, Anderson. Subs: Nery, Leandro, Vampeta, Robert, Germano, Evanilson, Cesar, Cacapa, Vagner, Batista, Magno Alves, Costa.

Referee: Jun Lu (China)