NEYMAR LEADS BRAZIL ROUT OF PANAMA
By: Lucky Khanyile
Neymar Jr shone again as Brazil thrashed Panama in an international friendly on Tuesday.
The Brazilian forward was vocal in his side’s easy 4-0 drubbing over Panama at the Estadio Serra Dourada.
The 22-year-old Barcelona star lived up to expectations in a game that saw World Cup host having the mount of position from an early start. The Brazilians showed that they mean business from the first whistle. This led to them being awarded a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the box after Neymar was brought down.
Neymar saw his magnificent curl go past the visitor’s goalkeeper Oscar McFarlane in the 27th minute.
Panama showed some confidence before they conceded the goal which changed the game as they lost focus.
Neymar’s compatriot in Barcelona, Dani Alves made it two goals when he received a passed unmarked just out the box. The right fullback made no mistake and slaughtered the second five minutes before the break.
Felipe Scolari’s men added to the tally in the first minute of the second half after Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk fired a low shot past the goal line. Again Neymar played his tricks as he just made a back hill for the 27-year-old Hulk.
Substitute Willian Borges da Silva added more misery to Panama as he netted the fourth goal after an incredible work from Neymar in the 72nd minute.
The five-time world champions will play their first match against Croatia on the 12 June in an opening match of the World Cup in the Arena Corinthians, Sao Paolo.
Costa Rica lost to Japan by 3-0, United Arab Emirates 1-0 Georgia and Switzerland 2-0 Peru. The African team Nigeria was held to a goalless draw by Greece and Mexico suffered a strange defeat to Bos-Herce.
