Kaka red card dampens Brazilian celebrations
BRAZIL (3) vs IVORY COAST (1)
BRAZIL coach Dunga vented his fury at the sending-off of Kaka after seeing his team guarantee their progression from Group G with a slick victory.
Two goals from Luis Fabiano and one from Elano ensured the South Americans were already home and dry by the time Didier Drogba headed a late consolation.
But Brazil’s celebrations at reaching the last 16 with a game to spare were soured by the 86th-minute dismissal of Kaka.
The Real Madrid star was shown a contentious second yellow card after Abdelkader Keita ran into his shoulder and fell to the ground clutching his face.
Kaka, right, will miss Friday’s fixture against Portugal and could see his ban increased if it is deemed to be violent conduct, although it seems equally likely to be rescinded following widespread outcry.
“It was a totally unjustified dismissal of Kaka, he was fouled and yet he was punished,” said Dunga. “The player who commits the foul escapes the yellow card, I have to congratulate him for that.”
Kaka refused to comment on his red card but criticised the Ivorians’ physicality, saying: “It was a tough match. It got violent in two or three plays there.”
Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson rejected Dunga’s complaints, suggesting they had bee the victims of their own injustice when Luis Fabiano appeared to handle in the build-up to his second goal.
“I heard Brazil complain a lot, but I don’t think they should,” said the former England coach. “It is extra difficult when Fabiano is allowed to use his hands. It was not just once, it was twice.”
Eriksson’s men could still qualify if they beat North Korea, but their fate is unlikely to be in their own hands.
Sevilla star Luis Fabiano thumped his first goal high past Boubacar Barry at the near post after 25 minutes and volleyed a fine, if controversial, second on 50 minutes.
Kaka showed flashes of his old form to set up former Manchester City midfielder Elano for the third just after the hour. Chelsea striker Drogba rose unmarked to nod a reply with 11 minutes remaining.