US stay focused as Brazil eye semis

Brazil were made to work before passing their first Confederations Cup exam against Egypt and another tough test is in store when they meet the United States here on Thursday.

Kaka’s late contribution earned the defending champions a barely merited 4-3 victory over the Pharoahs to place them top of Group B with Italy, who overcame the US 3-1 in their opener.

The States, despite going a man down in the first half, were a goal up and had Italy in trouble before the world champions’ class and numerical advantage told.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi singled out US defender Oguchi Onyewu and teenage striker Jozy Altidore for special mention and this duo’s skill combined with their team’s overall muscle and passion are set to make life interesting for Dunga’s men.

“We need to get our focus back and put our minds to beating Brazil in our next game,” insisted Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley.

The son of Bob Bradley, the US coach, added: “We have the ability to make any team uncomfortable and Brazil is no exception. Tomorrow is another day and we’re still alive in this competition.”

Brazil boast a 13-1 win-loss record over the United States but Manchester City star Robinho for one is not about to take the three points which would see them though to the semi-finals for granted after the Egyptian scare.

“It could have been a lot easier for us but Egypt deserve a lot of credit for fighting back in the second half. We maybe lost our composure for a few minutes there but the most important thing was that we won,” he said.

“In the next game against USA we’ll be working hard to make sure we don’t make those errors again, because we’ll be coming up against another quality team.”

Brazil keeper Julio Cesar warned the US to expect a more composed performance from the South American giants in Pretoria.

“It’s not normal for us to let in three goals in a game and we know it.

“We had a lapse of concentration in the second half and it nearly cost us the win. Against the USA we’ll be looking to recover the rhythm we’ve had in our last few World Cup qualifying matches and trying to make sure that these kinds of things don’t happen again.”

Kaka, who produced some sublime football in Monday’s match scoring a double, is eager to wrap up his team’s place in the last four with a game in hand.

“In a very tight group we’ve got the three points we wanted and now we’re in a position to reach the semi-finals.”