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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Just why do Brazil get so many free kicks

Well, the brutal answer is that they cheat a lot, especially around the opposition penalty area. I've tried to get hold of statistics down here from Fifa but there aren't any for free kicks in specific areas, but just watch how readily Brazil's players take a tumble in areas where they can take free kicks.
It happened today in the Confederations Cup match against the United States. After just six minutes a Brazilian player very cleverly tripped himseld in a perfect position for an inswinging free kick. The kick was, of course, perfecly flighted and Felipe Melo headed home. Melo was marginally offside so the Americans can count themselves doubly unlucky.
Brazil had countless free kicks from an area about 20-25 metres out. The Americans were a bit naive in committing themselves to challenges, but it's still a pretty cynical way to play what a Brazilian superstar christened The Beautiful Game.

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