Published on Taipei Times
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2007/02/08/2003348210

Dunga's luck runs out against Scolari

AWAY GAMES: In the other games played in England on Tuesday, Ghana trounced Nigeria, South Korea pipped Greece and Denmark comfortably beat Australia

AP, LONDON
Thursday, Feb 08, 2007, Page 19

Portugal ended Dunga's unbeaten streak as Brazil coach, Ghana ended a 15-year winless streak against Nigeria and South Korea downed European champion Greece in international friendlies played in London on Tuesday.

Portugal beat Brazil 2-0 with late goals from Simao Sabrosa and Ricardo Carvalho, Ghana downed Nigeria 4-1, South Korea defeated Greece 1-0 and, in the fourth friendly played in the British capital not involving England, Denmark beat Australia 3-1.

At Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Ricardo Quaresma broke down the right in the 82nd minute and crossed to Simao, who arrived unmarked in the area to put Brazil ahead with a bounding volley. Eight minutes later, Carvalho scored with another volley on the left, again from a right-wing cross.

"My team has gained confidence and improved their credibility," Scolari said. "This is part of the journey to 2008. The decisive games will be in March, but this was a good opportunity to put some different players in and see how they did."

It was Dunga's first loss in six games since taking over after Brazil's disappointing World Cup quarterfinal exit last year. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari remained unbeaten in two matches against his native Brazil, which he led to a record fifth World Cup title in 2002.

"We have to learn from it," Dunga said. "We are starting to prepare for the World Cup. This showed us we have much left to learn. That is football."

Portugal also won the teams' most recent encounter, 2-1 in March 2003.

South Korea's Lee Chun-soo scored in the 78th minute at Craven Cottage, home to Premier League team Fulham. Lee sent a free kick past the diving Antonis Nikopolidis in the 78th minute in a front boisterous, pro-South Korea crowd.

"It was like an away game for us," Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said. "[But] we had chances to win the game."

Laryea Kingston scored in the 51st and sparked further tallies by Sulley Ali Muntari, Junior Agogo and Asamoah Fringpong for Ghana's biggest win over its neighbor since 1960.

"I think there's a good future for this team," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said. "I am very proud to be in charge."

The match was the last in charge for Nigeria coach Austin Eguavoen, who will be replaced by veteran German coach Berti Vogts.

Jon-Dahl Tomasson scored two first-half goals and Daniel Jensen added a header to give Denmark a 3-1 victory over Australia at Loftus Road.

Tomasson's second in the 40th gave Denmark a 3-0 lead and Australia finally responded when Brett Emerton curled a free kick past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen from 25m with six minutes remaining.

Also Tuesday, Wales drew 0-0 at Northern Ireland in a friendly. Missing key winger and captain Ryan Giggs, Wales relied instead on Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy. Northern Ireland's best chance came from Chris Brunt, with Wales goalkeeper Danny Coyne pushing his low drive around the post in the 28th minute.

Yiannis Okkas and Yiasemis Yiasemakis each scored as Cyprus beat Hungary 2-1 in the four-nation Cyprus tournament in Larnaca. Bulgaria beat Latvia 2-0 and faced Cyprus in yesterday's final.

Latvia and Hungary will meet for third place.

Cyprus scored first in the 18th minute after Okkas chased a seemingly lost ball and set up Yiasemakis for the goal. Okkas grabbed the second for Cyprus, and Hungary pulled one back in the 89th through Tamas Priskin.

Bulgaria went ahead in the 14th minute on an own-goal from Latvia's Pavels Surnins, who made a poor goalmouth clearance. Hristo Iovov added the second in the 33rd, sending a low shot past the goalkeeper.