By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Goals from Neymar and Oscar gave Brazil a comfortable 2-0 win over South Korea yesterday in Seoul. Chelsea defender David Luiz captained the side in Thiago Silva’s absence and after a quiet start Brazil put in an excellent second half performance to run out easy winners as the national side continued their 2014 World Cup preparations.
Scolari selected an offensive line-up, leaving midfielder Ramires on the bench in favor of front-man Hulk. The Zenit forward had Brazil’s first big chance on thirteen minutes but could not poke his shot past the goalkeeper when in front of goal.
The Koreans deliberately targeted Neymar and the Barcelona star was fouled five times in the opening half hour. He was marked tightly throughout the first half but had the last laugh just before the interval, curling a wonderful free-kick over the wall and beyond the goalkeeper to give the Seleção the lead at the break.
Scolari brought on Ramires for Hulk at half-time and the change immediately gave the side more balance. Less than five minutes after the restart, Brazil were 2-0 up.
Paulinho’s perfect pass put Oscar clean through on goal. The Chelsea playmaker calmly rounded the keeper and rolled the ball home to give Brazil some breathing space.
Neymar and Luiz Gustavo went close to adding a third, and despite taking their foot off the gas, were rarely under pressure from their hosts. Goalkeeper Jefferson was seldom forced into action and the victory was safe long before the final whistle.
Brazil next travel to Beijing to face Zambia on Tuesday as Luiz Felipe Scolari‘s second reign as manager begins to gain momentum. In sixteen games as Seleção coach he has won ten, drawn four and lost just two.
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