Sandro and Hernanes get on score sheet as Brazil cruise past Gabon in one-sided friendly.
Brazil defeated Gabon 2-0 in an international friendly match that marked the opening of the D'Angondje stadium, the venue which will stage the final of the 2012 African Cup of Nations which will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Despite fielding a below-strength side, Brazil dominated their opponents from the beginning to the end. After creating several clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, Brazil finally went ahead in the 11th minute when Sandro scored from a right-sided Bruno Cesar cross.
Brazil managed to play exciting attacking soccer, even if the poor condition of the soaked surface made this very difficult. The five-time world champions dominated proceedings against the vulnerable Africans, and looked extremely dangerous each time they raced down the wings.
Gabon's best opportunity came when a left-sided free-kick from Levy Madinda was pushed onto the crossbar by Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves. However, it was a rare opportunity for the Africans, as it was the visitors who looked more likely to score again, due to their swift free-flowing soccer.
In the 34th minute Brazil were rewarded for their dominance, when a venomous Jonas drive from the edge of the area was only parried by Gabon goalkeeper Ovono, allowing Lazio midfielder Hernanes to head the ball into the back of the net.
Instead of holding onto their advantage, Brazil went looking for more goals in the second half. They came inches close from adding to their advantage with fine efforts from Portuguese-based players Bruno Cesar and Hulk.
The final opportunity of the match fell to Bruno Cesar in the 69th minute, but his well-timed volley was pushed over the bar by Ovono. Had it not been for the heroics of Ovono Brazil would have won the match by a much greater difference.
Brazil will face a much stiffer test on Monday, when they take on African champions Egypt in Doha.
Despite fielding a below-strength side, Brazil dominated their opponents from the beginning to the end. After creating several clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, Brazil finally went ahead in the 11th minute when Sandro scored from a right-sided Bruno Cesar cross.
Brazil managed to play exciting attacking soccer, even if the poor condition of the soaked surface made this very difficult. The five-time world champions dominated proceedings against the vulnerable Africans, and looked extremely dangerous each time they raced down the wings.
Gabon's best opportunity came when a left-sided free-kick from Levy Madinda was pushed onto the crossbar by Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves. However, it was a rare opportunity for the Africans, as it was the visitors who looked more likely to score again, due to their swift free-flowing soccer.
In the 34th minute Brazil were rewarded for their dominance, when a venomous Jonas drive from the edge of the area was only parried by Gabon goalkeeper Ovono, allowing Lazio midfielder Hernanes to head the ball into the back of the net.
Instead of holding onto their advantage, Brazil went looking for more goals in the second half. They came inches close from adding to their advantage with fine efforts from Portuguese-based players Bruno Cesar and Hulk.
The final opportunity of the match fell to Bruno Cesar in the 69th minute, but his well-timed volley was pushed over the bar by Ovono. Had it not been for the heroics of Ovono Brazil would have won the match by a much greater difference.
Brazil will face a much stiffer test on Monday, when they take on African champions Egypt in Doha.
