2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 (English FIFA Confederations Cup 2009) was the sixth playout this intercontinental football competition for national teams under this name and care of FIFA and the eighth overall and was held from 14 to 28 June in South Africa instead. The competition was for the host as a dress rehearsal for a year later held there football World Cup in 2010.
South American champions Brazil won the tournament in the final against Gold Cup winners USA and was after his victories in 1997 and 2005 with a total of three tracks sole record of contest winners.
- 4.1 Semi-finals
- 4.2 3rd place match
- 4.3 final
Venues
As venues for 2006, five of nine cities were selected in the fall. In this question the capital, Pretoria, Cape Town came with the seat of government as well as the six-month seat of government from January to June, Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth. In July 2008, it was declared that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth is not completed in time and the Cup only takes place in the remaining four stages.
Venues were then following four World Cup stadiums, all of which were modernized and expanded:
Participant
As participants were qualified:
- South Africa South Africa as host
- Italy Italy as world champion in 2006
- Spain as European champion in 2008
- Brazil Brazil as the winner of the Copa America 2007
- United States of America as winner of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- Iraq Iraq as Asia Champion 2007
- Egypt Egypt as African champions 2008
- New Zealand New Zealand as the Oceania 2008
Preliminary round
The draw was held in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 November 2008.
Group A
In Group A hosts South Africa was right after the tournament favorites Spain, a candidate for the semi-finals. However, in the first game against Iraq, the Africans did not convince. Against good standing Iraqis did not succeed, despite the clear superiority field to score a goal. However, even the highly touted European champion did in his second game difficult against the champions of Asia, which relativized the performance of South Africa. On the final day of the hosts came despite a 0-2 defeat against Spain even further, as the offensively weak Iraqis against New Zealand scored a goal.
Group B
In group B, it seemed between Brazil and world champions Italy just to win the group to go. But African champions Egypt made with a 1-0 victory against the Italians for the first surprise in this tournament. In the last game against Brazil, the team of Marcello Lippi was subject to a surprising degree with 0:3. The United States won the last match 3-0 against Egypt and thus secured themselves, albeit with Brazilian shooters help, the semi-finals.
Final round
Semifinal
In the first semi-final match, Spain was the clear favorite. But its U.S. counterpart were compact and used two errors in the Spanish defense from effectively. The European Champion was indeed superior to field, but could not exploit its many opportunities.
In the second semi-final played host South Africa surprisingly strong against Brazil. So they earned compared to the world champion, a field superiority and had some chances to get to the scoring. Shortly before the end of the game secured Daniel Alves with a direct free kick goal victory for the Brazilians.
3rd Place Match
In the match for third place in the African hosts and the Iberians came to. The game both teams suffered the first 70 minutes under the tough game flow. In the first half of the European champions a regular strike was disallowed for offside alleged. South Africa took the lead after 73 minutes through Mphela in the lead and held that lead until the 88th minute. There was an eventful final phase: Substitute striker Daniel Guiza scored the equalizer at first and just a minute later with a fine move, coming in the top corner to make it 2-1 for Spain. However, in the third minute of stoppage time with Mphela scored direct from a free-kick made it 2-2. In the extension of the South Africans had initially the better opportunities. The decisive goal was scored the Spanish England Legionnaire Xabi Alonso with a free kick.
Final
In the final, the North and Central America champions USA and South American champions Brazil were compared. This duel gave it in the first round, where the Brazilians won 3-0.
However, in the final, the Americans went through a volley by Clint Dempsey in the 10th minute lead. As a result, the South Americans had difficulties to get into the game, as the U.S. as very compact stood on the defensive against Spain. Landon Donovan scored a counterattack to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute. Right at the beginning of the second half scored by Luís Fabiano shot on the turn the first goal. Luís Fabiano from Sevilla headed home in the 74th minute made it 2-2. Ten minutes later brought Lucio headed goal, the Brazilians the lead, which eventually meant the final score in this game.
Top scorers
Awards
The Golden Ball "Golden Ball" for the best player of the tournament went to the Brazilian Kaka. The "Silver Ball" went to his compatriot Luis Fabiano and the " Bronze Ball" at the American Clint Dempsey.
The Golden Shoe " Golden Boot " for the top scorers went to the Brazilian Luis Fabiano for his five tournament goals. The "Silver Shoe " went to the Spaniard Fernando Torres and the " Bronze Shoe " to the Spaniard David Villa. Since both had the same number of goals, together with the American Clint Dempsey, decided the Assists and then the less completed minutes of play on the ranking.
Golden Glove The first recipient of the " Golden Glove " for the best goalkeeper of the tournament performance received the American Tim Howard. A silver and bronze trophy was not awarded in this category.
FIFA Fair Play Trophy The Fair Play Award for athletic correct occurrence both on and off the lawn received the Brazilian national football team.