Source: Daily_Mail
Brazil 2 Republic of Ireland 0: The real Robinho comes out to play
This was the return to England Robinho must have dreamed about when he landed in his helicopter at his beloved Santos.[LNB]It was the night the errant Brazil striker and his fellow magicians showed how big a threat they are in World Cup year yet again.[LNB]Even without Ronaldinho, left out by Dunga to the chagrin of many in an impressive crowd of 40,082 at the Emirates, Brazil look in the mood to live up to their billing as joint favourites in South Africa with Spain.[LNB] Samba King: Robinho (right) celebrates his goal against Ireland with Kaka[LNB]WAdmittedly he was marked by Paul McShane, a hapless Republic of Ireland defender thrown to the Brazilian wolves in the absence of Richard Dunne. But Robinho was back, and he wasn't half bad.[LNB]Hull defender McShane had almost come to blows at one point with Irish keeper Shay Given when Kaka, Adriano and Robinho waltzed through the defence for the umpteenth time, taking pot shots at the Ireland No 1 on the night he and Kevin Kilbane broke their country's cap record on their 103rd appearances.[LNB]As Giovanni Trapattoni's players tired of their chase in the second half, so their errors almost led to a Brazilian second, doubling the opener from Keith Andrews' left leg which had ended Ireland's first-half resistance after 44 minutes. Even that own goal came from a Robinho cross, although he looked offside by some distance in the build-up.[LNB]Then Grafite's pass flicked fortuitously off the inside of McShane's ankle in the 76th minute and fell neatly into the path of the little Manchester City man on loan to Santos, who completed a return to these shores he will savour with an assured finish past his soon-to-be former Eastlands team-mate Given.[LNB]He pointed to the heavens, he pointed in acknowledgement to substitute Grafite. Then he pointed to the exit. Robinho was replaced immediately by Nilmar but, in this mood, the whole world is in danger from him in South Africa.[LNB]England manager Fabio Capello was among those at Arsenal's home to see it was not all straight forward for Dunga's men, who would have heard the jeers as the number of inexcusable loose passes by his side increased before the break.[LNB] Unlucky: Republic of Ireland's Keith Andrews (right) puts through his own net just before half-time[LNB]There was some encouragement for Ireland from set pieces proof for Capello and the other World Cup finalists that Brazil may have an achilles heel but Julio Cesar hardly had to make a save. Sean St Ledger and McShane went close, Kevin Doyle had a header brilliantly flicked away with one hand, but Ireland hardly looked likely to score.[LNB]Ireland hunted relentlessly, as only the Irish seem to do. Sadly for the 'home side' that enthusiasm led to their downfall.[LNB]Robinho looked offside when he ran on to Maicon's pass and squared into a crowded area. In his desperation to get back and clear, Andrews slid in and his left-foot prod wrong-footed Given and found his own net.[LNB]Tall order: Brazil's Lucio (right) was typically resolute in the face of Irish attacks[LNB]It was not the golden goal their audience craved, but it gave Brazil the lead and a crowd who had welcomed the team bus as if they were displaying the World Cup trophy in Rio started their party.[LNB]Ireland fans may have drowned out the French in Paris and Italians in Bari in the last year, but they were outnumbered here. [LNB]This was a night of closure for Ireland, the last rites on their cruel World Cup exit in Paris and the first opportunity for Trapattoni and his coaching team to move on from the dirty hand of Thierry Henry.[LNB]Their steely resistance and determination made life difficult for Brazil for 44 minutes at least, but Trapattoni still drew lessons from the masters. [LNB]A simple gesture to one of his adopted sons was so typical of the wise old man who has helped rekindle and awaken Irish football.[LNB]Gilberto Silva, the robust anchor at the heart of Brazil's midfield, had just read a loose pass from Liam Lawrence. In front of him were three far more illustrious members of Dunga's squad. Gilberto picked out Adriano, threading the ball between three Irish players.[LNB]Trapattoni turned and peered into the dug-out, looking for a familiar face among his substitutes, and he found Darron Gibson, the Ulsterman who decided to spend a few years working under one of the game's legendary coaches.[LNB] World's best: Kaka (left) was one of several of the planet's finest players on show[LNB]MATCH FACTSRepublic of Ireland (4-4-2): Given; Kelly, Ledger, McShane, Kilbane; Lawrence (McCarthy 68min), Whelan (Gibson 56), Andrews, Duff (McGeady 56); Doyle (Best 77), Keane[LNB]Brazil (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon (Carlos Eduardo 84), Lucio (Luiso 82), Juan, Bastos; Ramires (Alves 64), Silva, Melo; Kaka; Adriano (Grafite 64), Robinho (Nilmar 77)[LNB]Referee: Mike Dean (England) [LNB]'Darron,' shouted Trapattoni as he jabbed the side of his right eye with his forefinger before gesturing up to the pitch. 'Look at this.'[LNB]He then started to expand on his theories in his crazy mix of English, Italian, German and Portuguese, but the message to the Manchester United midfielder was clear: look and learn.[LNB]Gibson got his chance to play against the World Cup favourites in the 57th minute when he replaced Glenn Whelan. By then Brazil were warming to their task and creating chances with the aid of several basic Irish errors. [LNB]Ireland and Gibson were chasing shadows. [LNB]Kaka, Robinho and Adriano demonstrated the touches of genius and skill which will undoubtedly light up South Africa in June. [LNB]Ireland, meanwhile, did not heed the lesson. Look and learn, boys, look and learn.[LNB] Don't you want me, Juve? Scout to visit Santos... but for Neymar, not RobinhoSPORTSMAIL'S NEW WORLD FOOTBALL BLOGRobinho sells up for good: £32.5m flop has no desire to return to ManchesterMaicon braced for Man City raid as Mancini lines up bid for Inter Milan aceMANCHESTER CITY FC
