England (9) v (5) Brazil

By Matt Price

ENGLAND took out a thriller between two of the competition's class teams at Melbourne pitch on Saturday evening.

The 9-5 score line will suggest an easy win, but such was the pace displayed by both sides and the ability to move the ball quickly that the result was in question until the final minutes.

Brazil led 3-1 and equalised for 5-5 before reedy striker Dominic Holvor made the last five minutes England's.

Both sides are out of the running for the Homeless World Cup itself after losing their quarter-finals earlier today. Brazil was edged by Russia while England followed a tradition long established by its national side in losing on penalties – this time to Scotland.

Brazil's Roberto de Souza got the scoring underway with a deft stab past goalkeeper Martin Hall in the first half.

The lead lasted barely 10 seconds before Holvor had equalised, much to the delight of England's young and vocal support. End to end football saw Carlos Magno put Brazil in front. Then Silva tucked the ball back with his left foot and beat Hall with his right for 3-1.

A burst of rain late in the first half made turning difficult on the synthetic pitch. That didn't bother England's Tyrone Coleman, who unleashed a thunderbolt to score from within his own half.

Romain Coleman brought England level and then put them in front, weaving through two defenders before curling the ball past the Brazilian keeper. A Silva bullet made the half-time score 4-4. While Brazil looked to fiddle and control the ball, England looked to one-touch passes in the second half. It proved the right tactic for the conditions.

Ryan Nash found Holvor's unstoppable right boot for 5-4, and while Magno again levelled, England were soon in control; Holvor completing his hat-trick.

Photo: Photoworx