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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 15, 2010 · 32 Brazilian team all business in second half to pull out win Everyone had smiles on their faces, but players from either Continued from page 31 side didn't waste much time before the intensity of the warmteam's Brazilian opponents. "They travel to different places every year and tour ups increased. "This isn't competitive or about scoring a lot of goals, but it to get to know it better," added Bilotta. "This year, they picked Ontario. Their team captain, Luiz Alberto, whenever any athlete puts on the boots, they want to perreached out to me through EduKick, sort of random- form," said Oakville resident Joe Flynn, 52, as he did his stretches before jumping into the action. ly, and asked me to help organize a friend"Whether it's a friendly game or the final of the ly soccer match. We communicated "They started World Cup, you still want to take your chance if online on and off for almost two years. playing like the you get one." They were planning a trip to Ontario and Brazilian teams Oakville's players started the game looking like wanted an extra game. So our club decid- we see on TV. they had something to prove. Their passes were ed that even though we don't know them, They started crisp and they weren't letting the Brazil team get in the spirit of soccer and the recent any quality scoring chances. But the Brazilians World Cup, it was our pleasure to put on passing the ball around with ease got stronger as the game went on, pulling out a 2a match for them." 1 victory over their Canadian hosts. The excitement and anticipation from and controlling "We just stopped playing when it counted. We the host team on the field reached its peak the game." sucked them in and had them during the first 15 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone looked on with minutes, but we let them take over," said 52-yearwide eyes as a giant white tour bus pulled n MCM Oakville's old John Stewart, a defender for Oakville MCM. into the tiny parking lot and the Brazilian John Stewart "Then they started playing like the Brazilian team and their family members started hurrying off. Their florescent green jerseys were teams we see on TV. They started passing the ball around with ease and controlling the game." blinding in the sunlight. The teams finished the first 30-minute half tied at one. The The Brazilian players were greeted by the host team and its fans. The visiting players didn't spend players and fans shared more snacks and laughter during long in the change room. They quickly reappeared, halftime. The playful competitive spirit didn't stop during the pausing only briefly for some pre-game pictures break. The children of players from both teams began a before rushing the field to begin warming up. miniature game of their own beside the main field, all dressed in the colours of their parents' teams. The high-speed action continued in the men's game as the second half began. After a good chance for the Oakville squad, Brazil quickly reversed the pressure and found itself inside the host team's 18-yard box. Alberto was tripped up en route to the net and was awarded a penalty shot. The former national team player who represented Brazil at the 1999 FIFA Confederation's Cup blasted the ball past sprawled-out Oakville keeper Geoff Currie's white gloves into the back of the net, giving his team a 2-1 lead. The visitors used their expert ball-handling skills and precise passing to keep the ball away from their opponents for the majority of the remaining 12 minutes. As the clock ticked down, Oakville only managed a few more scoring chances. The Brazilians' skill level shone through as they shut down their side of half. Players from both sides celebrated the final whistle by giving opposing players and family members hugs and handshakes. Fans from both sides cheered all of the players as they made their way off the field. Bilotta and the Oakville MCM team took their role as hosts ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER FIRING AWAY: MCM Oakville's Peter Rannels takes a shot at the Brazilian net during Monday's friendly soccer match at Shell Park. seriously. They showed the visitors that the loss on the field didn't affect their hospitality by taking everyone out for food and drinks after the game. "We're going to pull out all the stops for these guys and hopefully make their trip to our great town a pleasurable experience," added Bilotta after he caught his breath following the game. "We are going to be their impression of Oakville. I think everyone had a lot of fun and that's what's most important." Bilotta also contacted the Town of Oakville and was given small mementos to give to each of the visiting players and their family members to help them remember their trip. The Brazil team is scheduled to stay in Canada until Wednesday. The team also has matches scheduled in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec before it heads home. Bantam Angels secure spot in USFA World Series The Oakville Angels bantam 1 team has qualified for the United States Fastball Association World Series. The local girls' softball team earned the berth by winning six of its seven games at a qualifying tournament recently in Mississauga. Oakville clinched its spot with a 6-0 blanking of Ajax in the championship game, the Angels' fifth consecutive win at the tournament. The Angels split their first two games of the competition, beating Brampton 3-2 and losing 6-3 to Guelph. Oakville then closed out preliminary-round play with a 4-2 win over Quebec and 7-2 triumph over Waterloo, following that up with a 1-0 Oakville will open the tournament Saturday with a 9 a.m. game against Brantford, followed by a 3 p.m. match with Guelph and a 9 p.m. clash with Halton Hills. The Angels' round-robin schedule concludes Sunday with a 9 a.m. game against Whitby. Semifinals of the tournament will be played at 11 a.m., with the winners clinching berths to the national championship tournament. The provincial finals will be contested at 1 p.m. Members of the Angels are Jennifer Bergie, Jocelyn Carabott, Kayley Coish, Hayley D'Avilar, Hilary Dawe, Alex DeMedeiros Smith, Janet Leung, Brittany Parkes, Alex Sagl, Jennifer Simpson and Jennifer Wilcox. win over Brampton in the quarterfinals and avenging the loss to Guelph by earning a 9-2 victory in the semis. The Angels will compete in another significant competition this weekend, the provincial bantam Tier 1 championships that they are hosting at Trafalgar Park.