07/01/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Hetherington, Churchley, Kennedy, Haigh, Harrison, Paterson, Freath, Ho, Norouzi, Day.

Brazil’s 2006 didn’t get off to the best start as they only just managed to get 11 men to make up a team. After kick-off was delayed as the water was cleared from the goalmouths, the home side took the early initiative. Brazil were put under a lot of pressure playing into the wind and, despite managing to hold off for about 20 minutes, went behind to two goals in quick succession. Just when a third goal would have killed off the game, the hosts had a fantastic chance after Brazil failed to clear the ball from their box. Dave Churchley managed to get his head onto the ball as the shot was fired in but it was still heading goalwards at high velocity. Al Andrew made an incredible reaction save, deflecting the ball onto the crossbar.

Just as Brazil were thinking of changing things round, they started playing well and got themselves back into the game. Lively striker Rob Day played a neat one-two with Mo Norouzi (who shattered Brazil’s record for the oldest player by making his debut as a 37 year old), skipped past the last defender and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Before the half-time interval, Brazil levelled the scores. Mark Harrison was chopped down after launching the ball high into the area. The tackle was so late that the referee didn’t see it but this turned out to be to Brazil’s advantage as a mix up between the centre backs and the goalkeeper allowed the ball to drop to Day. He rounded his man and tucked the ball away with his left foot.

Brazil started the second half as the better side and had several chances to go ahead. Steve Ho hit three shots just wide off the target and Mark Freath’s curling 20 yard effort was well tipped over by the keeper. Day, the man of the match, almost bagged Brazil’s first hat trick of the season when he curled a free kick inches past the post after Freath had been brought down just outside the box.

Waterloo took the lead against the run of play so Brazil pushed more men forward and got a quick equalizer. Freath dribbled into the box and squared the ball into the path of the onrushing Harrison. The lanky striker, stretching, crashed the ball against the underside of the bar and over the line. With Brazil having not played a match for 4 weeks and no substitutes, they unsurprisingly became stretched late on. Two more goals for the home side flattered them and sent Brazil home disappointed.