By DAN KARELL
After a recent rare day of no soccer, the Confederations Cup kicks back into action on Wednesday afternoon with two high-profile matchups.
Brazil face a beleaguered Mexico side in the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza in the first match of the day. El Tri kept the game close during their last match against Italy until the strength of Mario Balotelli proved the difference. Against Brazil, they’ll once more have to face an impressive combination of speed (Neymar, Dani Alves, Oscar) and strength (Fred, Hulk, Thiago Silva). The game is a re-match of last year’s Olympics tournament final, which Mexico won, 2-1.
In the second match of the day, Italy faces Japan in the Arena Pernambuco in Recifi. A win for the Italians will almost qualify them for the knockout round of the competition, while the Japanese squad will need three points to keep their hopes alive.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
3pm – ESPN/ESPN3 – Brazil vs. Mexico
6pm – ESPN/ESPN3 – Italy vs. Japan
what a crazy and wonderful game!!! very entertaining
Japan is good, technically very good and gaining all the time, very hard working team, evolving before our eyes
Japan suck. They proved they sucked against Brazil. You think they are good because Italy had an off day. The U.S. would smash those little sushi. Brazil and Italy are not even as good as they were in the past. Your logic is off. Get a room with sanfran415.
hey, thanks for telling me how you feel.
how is my logic off…care to explain it to me?
if you can…I’m daring you
did you hear what Roberto Martinez said about them after this game?
hi Kildman, how about you and me get a room?
whoa, in other Italian news, James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) died in Italy today.
no way, well that is crazy
i saw that in my local news but i wondered who that was. now i know.
hopefully this game shows that the US would not necessarily beat Japan more often than not. Japan are a solid team and in 10 games, i think the US/Japan split them.
Chikusho!
Asahi!
What a game! Love the way Japan plays, finally playing like they are capable of with the talent they have.
This is crazy!! Japan could have 6-7 goals right now, seriously!
I think come world cup time they could do some damage.
What damage? They suck . They can barely beat Iraq. Are you joking?
The Italian side probably has to much spaghetti last night or something.
I repeat: Football is strange.
I don’t remember seeing such bad defending from Italy…how did that not go in
Italy v. Japan = screamer. Wouldn’t of thunk it.
no kidding, good game
Just keeps on giving eh? Holy cow. And 3 mins + stoppage time to go.
That penalty call that Italy got was simply awful. Japan guy slides and blocks the shot, it bounces into the ground and into his arm. What is he supposed to do? Simply a horrendous call
So was the other penalty
Football is strange.
oh man, that was bad. Uchida should have just cleared that for a corner. he’s better than that.
Pirlo looks like having two left feet tonite…
Who is this moronic commentator? Shut up. Seriously. Shut up.
you mean me? Ciao: Vipero from Italy.
no on the broadcast
ah ok. glad to know it wasn’t me ;o)
it’s Darke and Keller.
No, no it is not.
yes, yes it is. ESPN commentators are Keller and Darke. i think Darke is his name, the guy who is always with Twellman. and it’s CLEARLY Keller…
wow, Italy getting that goal. poor Japan. and offside was the correct call on that 4th Japanese goal.
Dude it is not Ian Darke, it is Adrian Healy, not all English people sound the same.
relax dude, honest mistake. you’re really offended.
No I just think if you are going to criticize someone at least do it to the right person, same goes for using all caps to make a point when you are wrong.
i. didn’t. criticize. anyone. further, the only caps i used were in regards to Keller. which i WAS correct about.
if you are going to tell someone they said something, make sure they actually said it…
You must be hearing a recording of yourself.
Vai Danielino!
Japan are just going crazy on Italy right now.
They are absolutely mortal kombating them right now and going for the “finish him” already.
Guess Italy’s still having dinner in the hotel. They’d better come to the stadium quickly…