The visitors were able to field the likes of former Brazil national team stars Paulo Sérgio, Mineiro, Zé Carlos and Giovanni in their starting line-up, much to the delight of the large crowd packed into Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Fiji survived a few scares in the first stanza and it appeared as if the match would head into halftime goalless but that was to change just before the break with a pair of quick-fire strikes.
Play Fair Brazil finally took full advantage of one of their scoring opportunities to earn the lead through Claudecir Aparecido de Aguiar and, with just one minute remaining, would have thought they’d done enough to go into the sheds one goal to the good.
But Fiji had other ideas and respounded straight from the restart, Valerio Nawatu finding the net to get the home fans on their feet.
The hosts started the second half strongly as they looked to go in front but a defensive lapse gave Giovanni a sight of goal and the former Barcelona striker made no mistake to notch what proved to be the match winner in the 56th minute.
Fiji coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti attempted to wrestle back the iniative by throwing on some fresh legs but the Brazilians could not be breached and saw out the rest of the game to record the victory and go one up in the two-match series.
Buzzetti was not too downhearted about the result and had plenty of praise for his charges.
“I’m very pleased and proud of the performance of our boys,” he said.
“We played against a professional side and to play such a competitive match is a bonus for us.”
Play Fair Brazil counterpart Marcos Cesar Vizolli believes his team will put in an even stronger showing in the next game, which takes place at Govind Park in Ba on Saturday from 2.30pm.
“It was a tough game for us as this was our first match here and it took time for our players to adjust to the conditions,” he said.
“Now that we have played Fiji, our approach in the next match will be different and we will look to return home on a positive note.”
Play Fair Brazil Fiji tour
Thursday August 23, 2012
Fiji: 1 (Valerio Nawatu 45’)
Play Fair Brazil: 2 (Claudecir Aparecido Aguiar 44’; Giovanni Silva de Oliveira 56’)
Thursday 23 August
Churchill Park
Lautoka, Fiji
Fiji: 1. Akuila Mateisuva (GK), 3. Amani Makoe, 4. Remeuru Tekiata, 5. Taniela Waqa (c), 6. Manueli Kalou, 7. Ilimotama Jese, 8. Ilisoni Logaivau, 9. Valerio Nawatu, 10. Zibraaz Sahib, 11. Roy Krishna, 18. Samuela Kautoga
Substitutes: 2. Krishneel Dutt, 12. Archie Watkins, 13. Noa Vukica, 14. Maciu Dunadamu, 15. Misaele Draunibaka, 16. Taione Bola, 19. Tomasi Tuicakau, 20. Ratu Jone Gasaubalavu
Caution: Roy Krishna 29’
Coach: Juan Carlos Buzzetti
Play Fair Brazil: 1.Fabio Santiago Freitas (GK), 2. Zé Carlos, 3. Marquem Gonçalves, 4. Emerson Pereira, 5. Claudecir Aparecido de Aguiar, 6. Elivélton, 7. Paulo Sérgio (c), 8. Mineiro, 9. Emanoel Dias, 10. Giovanni, 11. Demetrius Ferreira
Substitutes: 12. Vanderlei, 13. Luis Felipe Silvestre, 14. Thiago de Lima Silva, 15. Alix Aeferson P. Silva, 16. Lucas de Oliveira Jesus
Cautions: Paulo Sérgio 38’, Claudecir Aparecido de Aguiar 44’, Emerson Pereira 55’
Coach: Marcos Cesar Vizolli
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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