IN the blazing heat of Sarawak, the 10 goals that Brazil put past both South Korea and Belgium counted for nothing yesterday when the three-time winners were ousted from the World Youth Cup by strikes from two of Argentina's substitutes in the last 10 minutes.
The quarter-final that really should have been the final attracted a crowd that almost filled to its 40,000 capacity the Negeri Stadium, a breathtaking state-of-the-art masterpiece that is a truly incongruous sight in a developing country.
It is nevertheless familiar territory for Brazil, who had accounted for all their previous victims here. Argentina were made of rather sterner stuff. As holders, they had to look the part. The consequence for Brazil was that Adailton Martins never looked like adding to the 10 goals that may yet provide him with the comfort of finishing as the tournament's top-scorer.
As the scorching sun dipped beneath the stand in the second half, and the Brazilian drummer raised the tempo of his samba beat, his team quickened the pace and the game no longer resembled a chess match. But Argentina are nothing if not resolute when it comes to jealously guarding their goal.
Fortunate to survive a flurry of free kicks from Alex De Souza, the holders then broke out in dramatic fashion. Lionel Scaloni scored thunderously from an acute angle, and then Pablo Aimar, who we are informed will be the next Maradona, laid on a chance that was met by Martin Perezlindo's irresistible drive.
