Confederations Cup Capsules: Rain on Spain: U.S. reaches 1st FIFA tourney final

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Talk about a full reversal of fortunes.

On the verge of elimination from the Confederations Cup a few days ago, the United States finds itself in the final of the World Cup test event thanks to a stunning 2-0 victory over top-ranked Spain.

Goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, and superb goalkeeping by Tim Howard on Wednesday lifted the Americans into their first FIFA tournament final since starting play in 1916.

The shocking turnaround from first-round losses to Italy and Brazil has the United States contemplating a championship game matchup with either the mighty Brazilians or host South Africa.

"Three games ago I think it would have been impossible to think about a night like tonight," Howard said. "We've had our fair share of critics, but we stood up and took it on the chin and kept going."

And after grabbing the 2-0 lead, they held on in the face of European champion Spain's surge. The American team most everyone counted out before a win over Egypt and an edge in tiebreakers got it into the semifinals just might come home with a prestigious trophy.

"This win is huge for American soccer," Dempsey said. "This one is much sweeter because we were down and out, came back fighting."

Altidore scored in the 27th minute and Dempsey added a goal in the 74th as the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania in November 2006.

"It goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring," said Howard, who made eight saves as he frustrated David Villa and Fernando Torres. "Sometimes football is a funny thing."

While the Spaniards could find nothing comical or comforting about their performance, the 14th-ranked Americans showed they can outplay and even outthink the world's best.

"We had a real confidence that we could try to make it harder for them than some of the other teams they have played against," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said, "and we had the weapons that could cause them some trouble."

Spain had set an international record with 15 straight victories and tied Brazil's record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996. Meanwhile, the United States had been 1-7-1 against No. 1 teams, beating Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup and tying Argentina last summer in an exhibition at Giants Stadium.

The numbers hardly mattered.

"I think it just shows that we can compete with the best. Now we need to do it on a consistent basis," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said.

Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the U.S. coach, will miss the final. He received a red card for a late challenge in the 87th minute, the third American ejection of the tournament.

Still, American players had much to celebrate.

Altidore got the first goal when he outmuscled Joan Capdevila, his teammate on Spain's Villarreal, to send an 18-yard shot in off the hand of goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Capdevila thought he was fouled by Altidore, who had engaged in some trash texting a few days ago.

"I told him, 'Be careful of the USA.' And he tried to say I didn't understand Spanish, so it was just all fun and games," Altidore said. "We're teammates and we were just messing around with each other a little bit, but in the end we had the last laugh."

That wasn't secured until Dempsey's goal from 6 yards when he pounced on Landon Donovan's cross, which had bounced off Gerard Pique and the foot of Sergio Ramos.

"There will be ups and downs in any cycle," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "I think this tournament makes that point very clearly. Tonight was a very big up."

But not such a big downer for Spain, according to its coach.

"This is an accident, a little step backward. We have to look forward with optimism," Vicente del Bosque said.

"A streak is over, and we have to start from zero," Capdevilla added. "This sobers us up."

Optimism hardly was a buzzword for the U.S. team when it opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champion Italy, then was outclassed by South American champ Brazil in a 3-0 defeat. The Americans advanced over the Italians on the second tiebreaker - total goals - by beating Egypt 3-0 on Sunday as Brazil defeated the Azzurri by the same score.

The United States had lost its three previous matches against Spain, including 1-0 in an exhibition on June 4 last year.

And now, it is a finalist.

"We just beat the best team in the world," Donovan said. "Emotionally we're on a bit of a high. We might be a little tired physically but we'll be ready for it. We don't play in a lot of finals."

While the U.S. women have won two world championships, the men have long been outsiders and didn't even qualify for the showcase event between 1950 and '90. This ranked alongside the upset of Brazil as one of their top wins, just below World Cup victories over England in 1950, Portugal and Mexico in 2002 and Colombia in 1994.

"I think it's always important to look and see all the different victories along the way that have helped elevate U.S. Soccer," Bob Bradley said. "It began with the famous one against England, but there's been many since. I think we are fortunate tonight that we can add it to the list."

Howard in net helps U.S. to historic win

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Goalkeeper Tim Howard's standout performance helped to beat European champion Spain 2-0 on Wednesday in one of America's greatest football victories.

"It certainly can be argued that if it's not the top, it's up there," Howard said after the stunning win put the Americans into Sunday's Confederations Cup final.

"We're scratching our heads the same way you guys are, but it goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring. Sometimes football is a funny thing."

Spain peppered the American goal with 29 shots and when Howard wasn't stopping eight of them, many were being blocked by his lunging defenders, who kept Spain off the scoresheet for the first time since last summer's European Championship.

"Anytime you come out with a shock win you have to take your chances in front of goal and we did. We had some guys who were defending like bandits and you need your goalkeeper to come up with some saves," the Everton keeper said. "You get lucky on certain occasions but we rode our luck today. Unbelievable."

The surprising run by the U.S. continued after enduring a 3-1 loss to Italy and 3-0 to Brazil to open the World Cup warmup event. It got through to the semifinal against FIFA's top-ranked team on goal difference after a 3-0 win over African champion Egypt.

"Three games ago I think it would have been impossible to think about a night like tonight," Howard said. "We've had our fair of critics but we stood up and took it on the chin and kept going.

"I could probably give you a 1,000 reasons but I don't think any of them would have done tonight justice."

U.S. coach Bob Bradley clogged Spain's flowing attack by shoring up the midfield and forced the Spanish to take their one-touch attack to the wings instead.

"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said you're not going to go through us, you're going to have to go around us."

Spain striker Fernando Torres said the U.S. played fantastic in front of Howard.

"Maybe it wasn't our best performance but you can't take away from what the U.S. did. They attacked and defended well and scored the goals they needed," Torres said. "I don't know if they deserved to win but they won and in the end that's what matters."

Although Howard wasn't overly keen on a rematch with Brazil in the final, he wasn't worried about a letdown on Sunday. Brazil plays South Africa in the other semifinal on Thursday.

"We're the first U.S. team to get to a major final so it's impossible to have a letdown," Howard said. "The spirit and fight will 100 percent be there."

Howard doubted whether the win would change anyone's perspective of American football.

"You hope things like this will help turn the corner but I'm not optimistic. (But) nights like this don't often happen," Howard said. "But the reality that the American football fan has to get used to is that not many teams beat Spain and beat Brazil. That's why they're (the best) in the world. That's why it's not doom and gloom when you lose."

-- Paul Logo thetis

Altidore gets his message across this time

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - A couple of days ago, Jozy Altidore warned his Villarreal teammate Joan Capdevila that Spain ought to be careful of the Americans.

The Spaniard had a hard time understanding that text message because of Altidore's poor Spanish, but perhaps he understands that message now.

"I told him 'Be careful of the USA.' And he tried to say I didn't understand Spanish, so it was just all fun and games," Altidore said. "We're teammates and we were just messing around with each other a little bit, but in the end we had the last laugh."

It was fitting that the powerfully built Altidore out-muscled Capdevila to score in the 27th minute and set up the United States' stunning 2-0 upset of European champion Spain on Wednesday in the Confederations Cup semifinals.

"It was a good through ball by Clint (Dempsey)," Altidore said. "From then on I just tried to keep my body between the ball and the defender and it worked out for me and I slid it home. I'm a big boy, so I got to use my body at times."

Capdevila said a foul should have been whistled.

Nine minutes after the goal, Altidore got the best of Capdevila again, forcing the Spaniard into a dangerous tackle from behind, drawing a yellow card and setting up a dangerous free kick that resulted in a header from Dempsey sailing wide.

"I wasn't really nervous at all for this game, I was just excited because I've played around these guys a bunch of times," Altidore said. "I tried to help the team as much as I can telling them about their tendencies. It worked out well."

Dempsey found the target in the 74th minute to make it 2-0 and Altidore exited to loud applause when he was replaced by Conor Casey with six minutes remaining.

The victory prevented Spain from setting the record for the longest unbeaten run in world football at 36 games. The United States had never beaten Spain in three previous meetings.

The Americans will face either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final in Johannesburg.

The 19-year-old Altidore moved to Villarreal on a US$10 million (€7.1 million) deal a year ago, then ended last season on loan with another Spanish club - Xerez - but didn't start a single match with the second-division side.

"Of course it's a bit frustrating, but at the same time it was only my first season there," Altidore said. "You can have expectations, but realistically you're not going to score 30 goals in your first season. It's definitely a transition, and it definitely takes a little longer to transition to that game than people think."

Born in Livingston, New Jersey, to Haitian parents, U.S. Soccer is hoping Altidore develops into the consistent scorer the team has lacked for years.

So far he's on schedule.

Last year when he was still 18, Altidore became the youngest player to score for the United States when he headed in a goal in a 2-2 draw with Mexico. This year, he became the youngest United States player to score a hat trick, putting in all three goals in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in April.

Altidore leads the United States with five goals in World Cup qualifying and appears back on form after undergoing toe surgery.

"This is the biggest game I've played in my young career," he said.

-- Andrew Dampf

U.S. euphoric after upset of Spain

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - Landon Donovan's father e-mailed him a photo of the United States ice hockey team's upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics before Wednesday's game.

After upsetting European champion Spain 2-0, U.S. coach Bob Bradley compared it to the Americans' 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup.

It was that kind of night for the U.S., one in which emotions mixed with history.

"It's always important to look at the milestones and it began with that one with England. But there have been many more since and we're just glad to add to the list," Bradley said upon reaching the Confederations Cup final - the first FIFA men's final at any level for the Americans.

The opponent on Sunday will be either five-time World Cup champion Brazil or host South Africa - and at this point the Americans believe they're capable of beating either team.

"Sure. We just beat the best team in the world," Donovan said. "Emotionally we're on a bit of a high. We might be a little tired physically but we'll be ready for it. We don't play in a lot of finals."

Donovan was taken aback when a reporter asked him if beating Spain could be compared to the 1980 hockey game.

"My dad e-mailed me that photo today," he said. "It's funny you mentioned that."

While the United States reached the semifinals of the 1930 World Cup, the team experienced some very dark times before re-emerging in the last 20 years. The Americans reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, losing to eventual runner-up Germany.

"This isn't the first game where we've showed well against a big opponent," said 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore, who set the tone by scoring in the 27th minute on Wednesday. "But then again, everyone is harsh against us, which is fine. We just have to try and keep producing these results. Slowly but surely we're getting better as a nation."

Bradley took over from Bruce Arena in 2006 when Juergen Klinsmann turned down the job.

"We're learning how to move on the field as a team. Everything we're doing is at a higher level," Bradley said.

"It's not like it's one thing. It's a package of everything. I think in the last year more and more players are starting to realize that and we have a chance now against great teams like tonight. It's not like we just feel we belong on the field, but that we can win."

-- Andrew Dampf

U.S. triumph over Spain helps image of soccer

JOHANNESBURG - The United States' amazing 2-0 victory over Spain at the Confederations Cup on Wednesday night sent out a loud and clear message that no one, not even the world's top-ranked team, is guaranteed anything in this captivating sport and no team is ever out of contention.

Even a 15-game winning streak doesn't put the ball in the net.

Look at this sequence of results.

The United States loses 3-1 to Italy. Italy loses 1-0 to Egypt. The Americans beat the Egyptians 3-0 and then end Spain's 35-game unbeaten run and 15-match streak of victories to reach the Confederation Cup final.

Does this make any sense? Or is it simply more proof that soccer, the world's most popular sport, is still capable of throwing up the biggest surprises?

Now the Americans, seemingly on their way home after losing by two goals to Italy and by three to Brazil in their first group games, will march proudly to Sunday's final in Johannesburg against either host South Africa or five-time World Cup winner Brazil.

The Spaniards, who began with a 5-0 thumping of New Zealand before beating Iraq 1-0 and South Africa 2-0, are heading for the third-place playoff, the so-called loser's final, their unbeaten and winning streaks now torn to shreds.

"I can't explain it any more than you can," American goalkeeper Tim Howard said. "Sports is funny sometimes, but when you put your mind to something, you can achieve it." Howard defied the Spaniards with a series of saves in the second half.

"The only thing that was going to get us through this game was sticking together, working hard and we did that," he said. "We rode our luck at times, they were a great team, they pushed us all the way to the limit but we took our chances well."

U.S. coach Bob Bradley showed that, while his players respect their opponents, they don't respect reputations.

He sent his team out to play the game at a fast pace and, by crowding out their opponents in defense and midfield, did not allow the talented Spaniards room to create their interpassing moves.

They made even Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas look ordinary simply by giving them no space or time to work their magic. Although the Americans left huge spaces down the wings, the stars of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool couldn't find a way through the crowded center of the field.

Yet the men in all white created enough chances just in the first eight minutes in Bloemfontein to suggest they were the ones with the long unbeaten record. Charlie Davies went close twice, Clint Dempsey shaved Spain's post and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas gestured to his teammates to calm down.

Suddenly this didn't look like the Spain that dominated and entertainingly won last year's European Championship, then went on to stretch its unbeaten run into this tournament.

The strikes by Jozy Altidore and Dempsey were more than deserved because they reflected the commendable attitude of the underdog side not to cower beneath the superiority of a far more talented team.

This being a knockout game, the U.S. played this match on its own terms and the Spaniards took half the game to get into its stride.

After the break, Spain used the width of the field to create chances but were repeatedly thwarted by well-timed challenges by Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu. When they were beaten, goalkeeper Howard punched away long range shots or dived to palm them away.

DeMerit and Onyewu have been playing in Europe for a while, although not alongside the Spanish stars at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

This is their moment.

While Spain's stars probably wish they could go home instead of hanging around for the "losers' final" on Sunday against South Africa or Brazil, the Americans have a title to play for.

Robert Millward covers soccer for The Associated Press

Old Spain returns in loss to U.S. at Confed Cup

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - For the first time in nearly three years, Spain's normally potent attack couldn't pick apart an opponent and ended up on the losing end.

The United States halted Spain's rewriting of football's records book on Wednesday with a 2-0 semifinal victory at the Confederations Cup that snapped the European champion's record winning streak at 15 games.

Jozy Altidore took advantage of Spain's lethargic defense for a first-half goal and goalkeeper Tim Howard made a number of outstanding saves in the second half before Clint Dempsey sealed the Americans' first appearance in a major final.

One year after an outstanding European Championship win that seemed to remove the perennial underachiever tag, Spain returned to earth with its first loss since November 2006, a span of 35 matches that only Brazil's 1993-96 team can match.

"This is an accident, a little step backward," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We have to look forward with optimism."

In near freezing conditions at the Free State Stadium, Spain outshot the Americans 29-9 but couldn't break through the stifling defense.

"The difference between them and Spain is that they scored two goals and we couldn't score with 10-12 shots on goal," Spain striker Fernando Torres said. "When you shoot too many times on target and you see the ball is not getting in you feel frustrated. You can't always play good and tonight was a disappointing night, for sure."

The United States backline often lunged to block many chances, which had to come from the wings with the Americans clogging up the midfield, where Spain's attack comes from.

"We had to pick our poison at times because they can do whatever they want with the ball," Howard said. "We said, 'You're not going to go through us. You're going to have to go around us.'"

While the American defense excelled, Spain conceded for the first time in five games after blunders by fullbacks Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos. Spain last conceded two goals in a 3-2 win over Greece on the way to last year's Euro 2008 victory.

"Everything," Capdevila said about what went wrong. "A streak is over, and we have to start from zero. This sobers us up."

With a potential final against Brazil beckoning, Spain may have overlooked an opponent it had never lost to in three matches, especially after its previous four wins had come against inferior opponents.

"I hate to classify it that way," Del Bosque said. "But certainly FIFA's ranking shows we're first and that's an objective number."

Although Spain will remain in the record books, a second major trophy could have put those who doubted Spain's credentials as one of the best at ease. It will now play either Brazil or South Africa for third place on Sunday.

"We hope it works to help us and that we learn from the errors," Torres said. "Now we'll go out looking to win the third place, which we'll play like a final."

-- Paul Logothetis

Santana may drop defensive tactics for semifinals

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa coach Joel Santana may be about to shed his defensive tactics for Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinal match against his native Brazil.

Santana has been criticized for regularly fielding three defensive midfielders in his team, but the Brazilian conceded Wednesday that such an approach may not reap much reward against a potent attack that has scored 10 times in three matches.

And Santana knows that is not what the raucous crowd at Ellis Park wants to see.

"How can I say to the South African public, the supporters of the Confederations Cup and the future World Cup, that before our supporters we are going to play defensively?" Santana said. "I might lose, but I'm going to lose playing forward football.

"Do you think we can defend for 90 minutes against Brazil? We can't do that. They're going to try to expose our weaknesses. We might lose, but we are going to play forward in a more attacking style."

But what Santana might do to change his lineup is unclear, especially with key striker Bernard Parker struggling with a knee injury.

Parker made his first mark on the tournament when he stopped his own teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by blocking a shot on the line, but the striker then scored both goals against New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.

Spain striker David Villa is way back in second place with seven on-target efforts, albeit with three goals.

Brazil, though, has the statistic that counts.

The South American champions have scored more goals than anyone else, two more than European champion Spain, and coach Dunga is skeptical of Santana's claim that his team may open up and attack.

"Each team has its characteristic, its way of working," Dunga said. "A lot of times things are said here, but we have to see what happens in the match, see how they will really play."

With Luis Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka exchanging positions fluidly in attack, South Africa defender Matthew Booth and his colleagues could be in for a torrid time.

Even so, Brazil will be without Juan after the key defender was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a left thigh injury and Dunga said he make more changes to the team that embarrassed Italy 3-0.

His players were not taking anything for granted ahead of a match they are overwhelming favorites to win.

"It's always hard to play against the hosts," Dunga said. "Their team is growing in the competition. They played well against Spain. These knockout matches are always harder, but we are ready to face them."

But like any opponent going up against the record five-time World Cup winners, South Africa knows it is as good as beaten if it goes onto the field star-struck by former world player of the year Kaka and Robinho.

The likes of Booth cannot match the South Americans when it comes to skill, so Bafana Bafana is relying on the home support to rouse them.

"We don't want to get carried away putting these guys up on a pedestal," South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez said. "Yes, they're idols to millions and we respect them all as footballers, but we're going to go out there Thursday and compete on the pitch.

"It's 11 versus 11, obviously, and I'm sure Matthew is dying to get stuck into Robinho and give Kaka a piece of his mind."

Fernandez and Booth are among four players in the South African squad that beat Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but an under-23 tournament is quite another thing compared to a full international like Thursday's at Ellis Park.

"Playing for a draw against them isn't going to do us any good," South Africa midfielder Teko Modise said. "They're going to allow us space and time to attack them and to play and we'll look to utilize that. We really want to play our hearts out and attack. We need to score as many goals as we can because we all know they're capable of scoring many.

"When we first came into the camp, we said we want to go to the semis and, now we're here, we also want to go to the final as well. It's possible. The Brazilians are not unbeatable."

-- Stuart Condie

SAfrica coach Santana faces team he knows well

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa coach Joel Santana hopes his knowledge of Brazil's national football team will come in handy when Bafana Bafana faces the five-time world champions Thursday in the Confederations Cup semifinals.

The Brazilian is more than familiar with South Africa's opponent, and said he is thrilled with the chance to face his countrymen in such a high-profile match.

"This moment is historic for me," Santana said. "I know some of the players of the Brazilian national team, but there is no doubt that the feeling is to go out there and try to earn a positive result for my team."

He said that beating Brazil would feel like winning a championship.

"It's an extremely important match. It would be like winning a title," Santana said. "Advancing to the second stage was one title, and beating Brazil would be the second title. The final would be the third title."

He tried to make it clear that he will remain "extremely professional" and that his close connection with the Brazilians will not interfere in his work on Thursday.

"South Africa is a country that is giving me an opportunity, for the first time in 30 years, to be coaching a team at the Confederations Cup and eventually in the World Cup. I'm very thankful."

Just a year ago, Santana was in Brazil near some of the players who will be on the opposite side on Thursday. He was coaching Flamengo before accepting the offer to replace Carlos Alberto Parreira at the helm of South Africa.

Santana coached Brazil manager Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho when they were players. He coached Dunga at Vasco da Gama in 1987, and Jorginho in 2000 and 2001, also at Vasco.

"They won titles with me in the past," Santana said. "So they know what they can expect."

Santana, on the other hand, doesn't foresee any surprises coming from the Brazilians.

"I know them. Everybody knows them," said Santana, who has also coached Fluminense, Internacional, Corinthians and Botafogo. "They've been together for three years now."

The coach met with Brazilian players just before Brazil's practice at Ellis Park on Wednesday, spending time with Robinho, Gomes, Julio Baptista and Julio Cesar.

"He's a great coach, we all know that," Robinho said. "It's going to be great to face him."

Santana has been criticized in South Africa for fielding three defensive midfielders in his lineup, but he had an answer Thursday.

"So you're not satisfied that we made the semifinals? That we scored and we got four points?" Santana said. "Football is related to productivity. We are going to play which players we think should be there. This is how football is played.

"Our football players have managed to qualify for the semifinals and if you're not satisfied with that I don't know what you'd be satisfied with."

Since Santana arrived to coach South Africa about a year ago, he has often faced critics for his defensive tactics, but he hinted that he will send his players on the attack against Brazil.

"We are not going to stay in our own area waiting to see what will happen," Santana said. "It's not worth shooting the ball from our area into the Brazil area. What are we going to say to our supporters if we defend for 90 minutes?"

-- Tales Azzoni

South African hopes hit by Parker's knee injury 

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's hopes of beating Brazil in Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinals have been hit by a knee injury to striker Bernard Parker.

Parker, who scored both of South Africa's goals at the tournament, pulled out of Wednesday's training session at Rand Stadium and will have tests Thursday to see if he can play against the record five-time World Cup winners.

"He had a slight problem and we were advised by the team doctor that he shouldn't go on with the training session," South Africa coach Joel Santana said. "It would be better for the player to rest today and we'll do some tests today.

"He is a new talent and we would like to have him in our team tomorrow."

The Red Star Belgrade forward made his first mark in the tournament opener when he stopped a teammate from scoring a winning goal against Iraq by unluckily blocking a shot on the line, but he followed that by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over New Zealand and has hit a tournament-high 10 shots on target.

With Brazil central defender Juan out of the rest of the tournament with a thigh problem, Parker is crucial to South Africa's hopes of springing a surprise on a team that has cruised so far with 10 goals scored and just three conceded.

Katlego Mashego could play in his place but the Orlando Pirates player struggled so far, straying offside a tournament-high six times in a total of 47 minutes as a substitute.

By comparison, Brazil's Luis Fabiano is in second place with four offside decisions against him - but he has played 249 minutes over three games.

Little wonder that Santana wants Parker fit to play.

"I'm not the team doctor," Santana said. "So I've got to wait for the results."

-- Stuart Condie

Mandela wishes SAfrica soccer team well

JOHANNESBURG - Nelson Mandela wished South Africa's soccer team well ahead of Thursday's Confederations Cup squad semifinal against Brazil.

South Africa's first black president, who turns 91 next month, asked for the team to visit him Wednesday at the offices of his Johannesburg foundation. He was greeted by players' rendition of "Shosholoza," an old chain gang song popular at sports events.

"From the players' point of view, it was one of those special moments," South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena said. "Meeting the old man was incredible. One thing about the old man is that he always had belief in us, not just in the current squad but in all the Bafana Bafana squads we have had.

"It meant a lot and his presence is unbelievable. The calmness he shows when he approaches people is unbelievable and it's something we have to take into the game tomorrow."

Coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian, made a deep bow in front of Mandela, who quipped to much laughter: "Your face is familiar."

Mokoena presented Mandela with a team shirt emblazoned with his name and No. 91, in honor of his birthday on July 18.

The team sang again as Mandela left the auditorium - this time a classic protest Sotho song that translates: "Nelson Mandela, there is no one like you."

"We got goosebumps when we met Mr. Mandela, a supremely charismatic person," Santana said. "His presence, simply his presence and the way he spoke to us, conveyed a feeling of calm to the team. I never in my life never thought I'd have the opportunity I had today.

"I thought I'd seen it all, but I hadn't."

-- Celean Jacobson

Dunga may make more changes to Brazil in semifinal

JOHANNESBURG - Despite a dominating performance against world champion Italy, Brazil coach Dunga may make changes to his lineup for Thursday's semifinal match against South Africa at the Confederations Cup.

Although Dunga was satisfied with the team's performance in the 3-0 victory over Italy, he said he could field a different squad against the hosts to rest some players and avoid risking injuries.

Dunga said he will take into consideration physical tests the players will undergo Wednesday after their final practice before the match at Ellis Park.

"You have to understand that these players have been playing in important matches with their clubs for the last three months," Dunga said. "We have to try to avoid wearing them out."

Dunga has made changes to Brazil's lineup every match so far. He made four substitutions from the 4-3 opening win against Egypt, and one after the 3-0 win over the United States.

Players arrived in South Africa complaining of exhaustion following tough World Cup qualifiers and long trips.

"We will see what the tests say and decide who will play," he said.

The coach did not say who will replace Juan, who is out of the Confederations Cup because of a thigh injury sustained only 24 minutes into the match against Italy.

Luisao replaced Juan during the match, but Miranda also may get a chance to start against the South Africans.

"Dunga hasn't told us anything yet," Miranda said. "But I'm prepared. If he picks me I'll be ready to do what I can to help the team reach the final."

Dunga also may make changes to give opportunities to some of the players who haven't played yet. He said the high-profile match against the hosts at a packed stadium will be a good test ahead of next year's World Cup.

"Without a doubt it's a good preparation match for the World Cup, to have an idea of what we will find (next year)," Dunga said.

Brazil and South Africa faced each other twice in friendlies, with Brazil coming out victorious 3-2 in 1996 and 2-1 in 1997. Dunga played in the 3-2 victory in 1996, when Brazil erased a two-goal deficit.

"It's a competitive team, with a lot of velocity," Dunga said. "We have to try to play our football and block the strengths of the South African team. At the same time we have to take advantages of our own strengths."

Dunga was coached by South Africa coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian who commanded Vasco da Gama when Dunga played for the club in 1987.

"He knows what he does," Dunga said of Santana. "From every coach I played with I tried to learn something positive, and it wasn't different with Joel."

Brazil enters Thursday's match as the only team without receiving a yellow or red card in the group stage. South Africa and New Zealand earned the most yellow cards with six.

"It's more a matter of luck," Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo said. "But I think we were able to do that with good positioning on the field, which is something we practice a lot."

Brazil, trying to become the first team to win three Confederations Cups, conceded 38 fouls, only two more than Italy and Iraq, but it is the team with the most tackles so far with 44.

-- Tales Azzoni

Milutinovic visits Brazil delegation at Confed Cup

JOHANNESBURG - Although Iraq is long gone from the Confederations Cup, coach Bora Milutinovic is sticking around to meet some of his football acquaintances.

He took the opportunity to visit the Brazilian delegation and chat with coach Dunga on Tuesday.

"I just wanted to say hello to him and congratulate him," Milutinovic said.

The veteran coach spent about five minutes with Dunga at the team's hotel and was given an autographed Brazil jersey.

The Brazilians will face South Africa in the semifinals of the eight-team competition on Thursday in Johannesburg.

Iraq failed to get past the group stage after a 0-0 draw with South Africa, a 1-0 loss to European champion Spain and another 0-0 draw against New Zealand.

Milutinovic said he hopes to find a team to coach at the 2010 World Cup, also in South Africa. He has already coached five different teams at World Cups - Mexico in 1986, Costa Rica in 1990, the United States in 1994, Nigeria in 1998 and China in 2002. Only the Chinese failed to get past the first round.

Iraq did not qualify for next year's World Cup.

FIFA gave away 70,000 free tickets at Confed Cup 

JOHANNESBURG - FIFA gave away 70,000 free tickets so local South Africans could attend Confederations Cup matches during the group stage of the eight-team tournament.

The governing body of world soccer decided to hand out the free tickets after some early matches at the World Cup warm-up tournament were played in half-empty stadiums.

"The amount of complimentary tickets for the group stage is 70,000," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said Wednesday, adding that total numbers would likely be available after the 16-match competition ends.

On Tuesday, Maingot said FIFA would also give away some tickets for Wednesday's semifinal match between Spain and the United States in Bloemfontein, but it was unclear how many were distributed.

"I do not have the exact figures at this stage," Maingot said.

For Thursday's semifinal match in Johannesburg between Brazil and South Africa, FIFA said Wednesday there are 1,700 tickets costing $120 still available, but no free tickets have been given out for that match at Ellis Park.

Tickets at this year's Confederations Cup range from $10 to as high as $200 for the final, which is well out of the reach of many people in South Africa, where unemployment is about 25 percent.

World Cup organizing committee spokesman Jermaine Craig said his group and FIFA have tried to make tickets available to everyone.

"What the organizing committee and FIFA have done is peg the exchange rate at 7 rand to the U.S. dollar, much less than the current rate," Craig said. "And we've tried to make tickets as affordable and as accessible to all South Africans as possible - of course understanding the circumstances of many of our countrymen and countrywomen."

On Wednesday, the exchange rate was about 8 rand to the dollar.

FIFA also said that all 48 in-competition doping tests so far at the Confederations Cup have been negative. FIFA tests two random players per team after every match.

-- Chris Lehourites

Elsewhere

Mexico wins friendly over Venezuela

ATLANTA - Giovani Dos Santos scored two goals and assisted on another to help Mexico win its friendly against Venezuela 4-0 Wednesday night.

Mexico plays a second friendly against Guatemala on Sunday in San Diego.

Coach Javier Aguirre is using the friendlies and three CONCACAF Gold Cup games next month to hone El Tri for an Aug. 12 World Cup qualifier in Mexico City against the United States, which advanced to the Confederations Cup final with a stunning 2-0 upset of top-ranked Spain on Wednesday in South Africa.

El Tri has a 22-0-1 record against the United States in its homeland, but Mexico is currently 2-3 and fourth in CONCACAF qualifying. The region's top three teams earn automatic spots for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

According to El Tri general manager Nestor De La Torre, Mexico's current squad will stay in place only through the friendlies. He and Aguirre could make several changes before the Gold Cup games.

"It's too early to draw conclusions," Aguirre said. "I have told the players that all 23 of them will be playing in these five matches. After that, we should have a good idea as to who will be starting."

Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the 45th minute on Dos Santos' pass from the right side to Carlos Vela, who easily beat Rafael Romo when the Venezuelan goalkeeper fell in front of the goal box.

Four minutes earlier, Romo, who allowed all four goals and made six saves, went face-down on the Georgia Dome grass with an apparent injury, but he never left the field.

Dos Santos scored from the right side, hitting the left part of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 48th. Less than three minutes later, he made it 3-0 when he went for a high kick against Romo in the penalty box. The ball ricocheted off Romo, and Dos Santos quickly gained control to hit the back of the net.

Aguirre has replaced eight players, including six starters from his 2006 World Cup team. Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, a reserve on the '06 national club, was a notable scratch last week.

Omar Arellano gave Mexico a 4-0 lead in the 73rd minute.

Georgia Dome officials announced a crowd of 51,115 at the 72,000-seat indoor stadium. Mexican fans far outnumbered those cheering for Venezuela, the only team out of South America's 10 countries to have never reached the World Cup.

Dome operators installed a temporary grass surface for the first time since it opened in 1992.

Mexico goalie Guillermo Ocoha had four saves on Venezuela's 11 shots on goal. El Tri took 13 shots, but Aguirre indicated he still hasn't decided who will start against Guatemala.

"I know the fans have their favorite players, but I have to be tough when I make decisions," Aguirre said. "It's my job to put the best 11 players out there that are available for that match."

-- Georges Henry