Zambia v Brazil
Zambia (9) v Brazil (6)
Zambia, where have you been hiding? The boys and girls from Brazil were given a lesson in how to "joga bonito" by the Africans in one of the best matches witnessed on Pitch One in this HWC tournament. They jumped their opponents with some precision passing early on and scored twice to leave the Brazilians scratching their heads and their management urging them to be calm.
When two teams decide that the best form of defence is attack, then the ultimate winners are the spectators, and win today they did. The sweet left foot of Zambia's Ronald Siame gave Zambia a 5-3 lead. Brazil missed a penalty, but then knuckled down to some hard work to achieve parity. At this point superior Brazilian fitness looked like it would win out over the Zambians. We also discovered that Siame's right foot is only for standing on as he failed to convert chances he would normally bury with his other peg. Zambian keeper Ackras Mumbakept his side in it with some stunning saves
At six apiece, however, the Zambians found their mojo. Siame found his left foot to score a hat-trick. We didn't want it to end. The Cape Town trophy is a distinct possibility for Zambia if they maintain this kind of form.
Frank Prenesti