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Brazil's Kaka (L) controls the ball during a Group B match between Brazil and Egypt at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 15, 2009. [Xinhua/Yang Lei]
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After experiencing surprising ups and downs, Brazilian football genius Kaka ensured a 4-3 victory of South American champions against African power Egypt with a penalty in the first Group B match of the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament on Monday.
A handball of Egypt's Ahmed Al Muhamadi gave a precious chance to Brazilians who were eager to break the draw of 3-3 at the last minute of the match. Kaka made no mistake at this crucial moment and kicked the ball into the bottom right, leaving Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in agony.
Facing the powerful Brazilians, the Pharaohs chose a conservative starting line-up, leaving Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan as the sole forward with former African Player of the Year Mohammed Aboutreika in support.
The defensive posture failed to foil the attack from Brazilian talent Kaka who offered the first goal after bustling through Egyptian defendants in the Free State Stadium in the central South African city of Bloemfontein.
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Brazil's Juan (L) celebrates his goal during a Group B match between Brazil and Egypt at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 15, 2009. [Xinhua/Yang Lei]
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In the ninth minute, Zidan received a cross from Aboutreika and made a great run and a power header into the top right to level the game. However, Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano and defender Juan widened the gap to 3-1 with two brilliant headers before the break.
The Pharaohs staged brisk counterattack in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Midfielder Mohamed Shawky thrashed the ball into the bottom left on the edge of the box. One minutes later, Zidan scored his second goal by hammering home a pass from Aboutreika.
However, all these efforts became futile with the last-minute penalty.
Zidan told reporters after the match, "I am happy to be selected as player of the match. Of course for us as a team, it is a big game. In the first half the match was not as we expected and we made too many mistakes. "
"The coach gave us good information in the second half and we felt free to play. We deserve to have one point by this match, but the penalty in the last two minutes cost us everything," added Zidan.
The match came after European champion Spain conquered his Oceanian counterpart New Zealand 5-0 and Iraq held South Africa to a scoreless draw in the Group A matches of the Confederations Cup.
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Brazil's Kaka (C) controls the ball during a Group B match between Brazil and Egypt at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, June 15, 2009. [Xinhua/Yang Lei]
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