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Alves saves Brazil from spirited Bafana Bafana

South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala, center, is stopped by Brazil’s Ramires, right, and Gilberto Silva at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday. PHOTO: EPA

Barcelona defender Daniel Alves spared Brazil’s blushes as his late goal earned the five-time world champions a 1-0 win over spirited South Africa on Thursday to book their place in the Confederations Cup final.

This semi-final against the hosts was heading for extra time until Alves, in an inspired move by coach Dunga, replaced Andre Santos and broke the stalemate with a curling free kick in the 88th minute.

Explaining his master move, Dunga said: “We knew it was going to be difficult, we knew South Africa were going to attack, to defend and counter-attack. The game was very tight so I sent on an aggressive player [Alves] who is very quick and a specialist in set pieces, he practices set pieces every day.”

“We had to make use of any opportunity that came our way so a foul in fornt of goal was perfect for us,” Dunga said.

Brazil now face the US in tomorrow’s final with South Africa heading to Rustenburg for the third-place playoff with Spain.

South Africa were without suspended midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, his place taken by Siphiwe Tshabalala, while Brazil midfielder Luisao started for injured Juan.

With South African President Jacob Zuma watching, about the only one of the 48,000 fans not blowing into a vuvuzela, South Africa made a promising start as they fought to make their first final since the 1996 African Nations Cup.

Against the run of play Itumelang Khune was forced into action to save a Ramires effort while shortly after his counterpart Julio Cesar was in full flight to cover a long range effort from speedy defender Siboniso Gaxa.

South Africa were giving as good as they got as Brazil tried to work the ball repeatedly down the left flank using Inter Milan back Maicon as the key link.

With eight minutes left and as extra time loomed, Dunga introduced Alves into the fray and the Barcelona defender repaid the confidence when he beat the Bafana Bafana wall with a thundering free kick two minutes from time.
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