Brazil move on

JOHANNESBURG – Brazil showed their true World Cup colours yesterday, turning on the turbo to beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Group G with two goals from Luis Fabiano securing their place in the second round.But Brazil’s delight was curtailed when midfielder Kaka was controversially sent off for a second yellow card two minutes from time.Their first three shots on target produced three goals – the first two from Luis Fabiano after 25 and 50 minutes [although there was a suspicion of handball about his second goal] – and the third from Elano after 62 minutes.Fabiano scored his first goal in six matches for Brazil with a powerful right-footer in the 25th minute after a perfect pass between two defenders by Kaka. He jumped over defender Kolo Toure before firing into the top of the net from a difficult angle.Fabiano doubled the lead in the 50th with a left-footer from near the penalty spot after beating two defenders inside the area. TV replays appeared to show Fabiano handling the ball to gain control.Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Fabiano handled the ball twice in the lead-up to his second goal, which changed the course of the match.“It shouldn’t have been allowed,” Eriksson said. “They got a goal free. That’s a 2-0 goal – that changed everything.“It’s even more difficult if he’s allowed to use his hands. Of course it’s hand ball. It’s not once, it’s twice.”Elano scored Brazil’s third goal in the 62nd after another set-up by Kaka, who was sent off in the 88th after being booked twice within four minutes.Didier Drogba, in the starting line-up for the first time since breaking his right arm on June 4, scored the lone goal for Ivory Coast with a header in the 79th.It was a physical match at Soccer City, with hard fouls from both sides and players confronting each other at times. Kaka got into an altercation with Kader Keita near the end of the match and was ejected after a second yellow card.Keita appeared to run into Kaka while going for a ball, but Ivory Coast players were upset with the play and went after the Brazilian. The Brazilians quickly came to defend Kaka and a shoving match nearly began.The victory at Soccer City gives Brazil six points from two matches, leaving the Ivory Coast in difficult position to advance from the group stage. Portugal and North Korea play today .Brazil have won all six matches they have played against African nations in the World Cup. Drogba’s goal was the first Brazil conceded to African teams in football’s marquee tournament.“I think Brazil can go all the way,” Eriksson said. “To beat Brazil you must be almost perfect.” (AP)Line-upsBrazil – Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano (Daniel Alves, 67), Kaka, Robinho (Ramires, 90), Luis Fabiano.Ivory Coast – Boubacar Barry, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora, Salomon Kalou (Kader Keita, 68), Emmanuel Eboue (Romaric, 72), Cheick Tiote, Aruna Dindane (Gervinho, 54), Siaka Tiene, Yaya Toure, Guy-Roland Demel, Didier Drogba.