Fariz Blog — Nothin’ but simplicity..

Mexico secured a shock 2-0 victory over reigning champions Brazil in their opening Group B clash of the Copa America.

In front of a crowd of 40, 000 at the Cachamay stadium in Puerto Ordaz, Hugo Sanchez’s side were far superior against a depleted Brazil outfit.

First-half goals from Nery Castillo and Ramon Morales secured the stunning victory for Mexico.

Alex came close to opening the scoring for Brazil but it was Mexico who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Olimpyacos’ midfielder Castillo completed a superb individual move with a powerful shot.

Just six minutes later and another stunning strike made it 2-0.

Guadalajara midfielder Morales fired home a superb free kick that nestled into the right corner of the net.

Chances were few after that as Brazil struggled to find their rhythm and impose themselves on Mexico.

Castillo saw his effort well saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Helton while Robinho’s shot for Brazil went straight into the hands of Ochoa.

With only a few minutes remaining Robinho smashed a shot against the crossbar while Alex had a header well saved by Ochoa.

Brazil will try to recover against Chile, who earlier secured an impressive 3-2 win over Ecuador, in their second game on Sunday while Mexico will face Luis Fernando Suarez’ side.

Both games will be played at the Juana La Avanzadora stadium in Maturin city.

England manager Stuart Pearce said it was "probably the proudest moment of my career" after his side pushed the Netherlands all the way as a thrilling UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final ended with a UEFA competition record penalty shoot-out. England had led for almost an hour through Leroy Lita’s 39th-minute opener before Maceo Rigters scored a dramatic bicycle-kick equaliser a minute from time. Yet the drama was far from over. With all England’s substitutions used, injury forced Nedum Onuoha off in extra time while Steven Taylor limped through the additional 30 minutes before penalties ensued – 32 of them to be precise. The Netherlands eventually sealed a 13-12 victory which their coach Foppe de Haan admitted was "bad for the heart".

Stuart Pearce, England manager
The players are crestfallen. They’ve given their lot emotionally and physically and it was an incredible evening’s football. It’s probably the proudest moment of my career. At the moment I want a nice cappuccino and to go and cuddle some of the players in the dressing room. We have to congratulate the Dutch after putting in so much effort tonight. We were prepared for penalties though. We’ve studied the players, showing statistically which way they could go. The penalties I was involved in only went to five or six penalties, so we’re going in the right direction. Credit to their goalkeeper, he got his hand to a couple, one more than ours. We’ve given a good account of ourselves, and I’m very proud of them all. As a young player you can only benefit from tournaments like this. We’ve got the nucleus of nine or ten players who can represent the U21s going into the next tournament in two years. It bodes well.

Foppe de Haan, Netherlands coach
A remarkable match. First half we didn’t play well. There was no tempo. We always had a spare man in midfield and they scored. It was poor defending and then we had to do it. And we did it. We were happy in the last minute when Donk headed across for Maceo’s goal although we were not good in extra time. We trained penalties a lot after a bad experience on penalties with the Netherlands U20s against Nigeria. It’s our second time in the final – if you’d have told me we’d get there before the tournament, I’d have been very happy. Before the match we talked everything through so they knew what to do when we went to penalties. Royston Drenthe missed his first, but it was a good spot-kick and he then scored his second. Penalties are awful though. There is a lot of tension and you have to think positive all the time – it’s bad for the heart. It was a real team effort. We played better last year so we have to work harder to win.

Samuel Eto’o has revealed that he has talked to Thierry Henry about joining him at Barcelona.

The Arsenal captain has once more been linked with a summer move to the Spanish giants, but there have been questions about how he would slot into a front-line also comprising Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

Eto’o is not worried by such a conundrum and the Cameroon striker is hoping Henry can be enticed to Camp Nou for next season.

"Henry? I was chatting to him while he was boarding the plane that took him to the States to see the NBA final," Eto’o told The Times.

"He is a great mate of mine and we will play all together. There is room for everybody."

Eto’o has also expressed his determination to stay after being linked to UEFA Champions League finalists Liverpool and Milan.

He was at odds with Ronaldinho and coach Frank Rijkaard last season, but is adamant he will not be forced out of the dethroned Spanish champions.

Eto’o added: "I am the owner of my own future and I have a very clear idea of what I want. The club cannot force me to do anything, nobody can.

"I have a very good relationship with the club, a very good one with the chairman and I don’t think we will get to that point (leaving).

"There are people interested in me leaving, I know that. When I don’t have anything more to give Barcelona I will let the board and the coach know.

"But at the moment, someone is building a huge lie, so big that everybody believes it. Only I will decide my future and I will continue here."