Wed, Jun 09, 2010 page20

• Robinho, Kaka lead Brazil to 5-1 win

  CASH CONSTRAINTS High ticket prices kept thousands of fans away from the game in Dar es Salaam, leaving plenty of empty seats in the 60,000 capacity stadium

  • AP AND REUTERS
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  Robinho scored two goals and Kaka added another as Brazil easily defeated Tanzania 5-1 on Monday in their last warmup before the World Cup.

  Robinho scored first with a shot from inside the area in the 10th minute and added to the lead with a header in the 33rd at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Substitute midfielder Ramires scored his first two international goals in the 52nd and in injury time, while Kaka chested in a cross in the 76th.

  “There is still something missing. But we still have a week to go before the opener and we will work to get better,” said Kaka, who came into the match nursing a thigh injury but played the entire match.

  

  Brazil’s Robinho, right, appeals to the referee after a challenge during their friendly against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

  PHOTO: EPA

  Tanzania’s lone goal was scored by Jabir Aziz from a corner in the 87th.

  Brazil hadn’t conceded a goal in five matches, since a 2-1 loss to Bolivia in October in a World Cup qualifier in the high altitude of La Paz.

  Brazil started the match with all regular starters with the exception of goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is nursing a back injury and didn’t even travel from the team’s training camp in Johannesburg. Julio Cesar, who was replaced by Tottenham goalkeeper Gomes, hadn’t missed a game in two years and had played 26 consecutive matches for Brazil.

  Brazil are in Group G at the World Cup and start their campaign against North Korea on June 15 before facing Ivory Coast on June 20 and Portugal five days later.

  With Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete watching, Robinho gave Brazil a 1-0 lead with a low shot from inside the area after a through ball from Kaka. He found the net again with a header after a cross by left back Michel Bastos.

  Ramires eluded one defender before dribbling into the area and scoring his first international goal. Kaka made it 4-0 from inside the six-yard box, receiving a cross from Maicon and turning the ball into the net with his chest.

  Ramires’ second goal was a header into the far corner in injury time against the 108th-ranked Tanzania.

  Dunga made six substitutions and tested a new formation in the second half, with right back Daniel Alves replacing Elano in midfield in a more attacking setup.

  “I summoned players with different characteristics, so I have a lot of options,’’ Dunga said.

  Thousands of fans were kept away from the game by high ticket prices with plenty of empty seats in the 60,000 capacity stadium.

  “How do you expect ordinary Tanzanians to pay up to 200,000 Tanzania shillings [US$144.5] to watch the match? This is totally unfair,” said Michael Urasa, a taxi driver, who said he could not afford to watch the match at the stadium.

  The Tanzania Football Federation said ticket prices were high in order recover appearance fees paid to Brazil.

  Also See: US star DeMerit takes road from Southall to S Africa
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