18.7.12 - The Match
Both of the men were looking forward to watching the Santos game that day. Geoff Keeling had spent a lot of time looking at videos of Neymar and so far he was impressed. They were eager to visit the Estádio Urbano Caldeira.
It felt like an eternity had passed between the time the men woke up and the time the match started. Neymar and Ganso were both starting.
The first chance fell during the 7th minute. A Santos defender made a tackle as they were defending(a rarity in Brazilian Football) and switched the play. A pass was made to Ganso, who beat a player and hit a through ball to Neymar. He took on 3 men before drilling in a well hit cross. The ball fell to Ganso, who had made up a lot of ground. He jumped up and got his head on it, however the ball went just over the bar.
That piece of play summed up the whole half. Neymar, dribbling past defenders. Ganso wasting chances. As they went in the score was 0-0. Geoff and Liam were talking about Neymar's performance at half time.
"He's looked ok" said Geoff."Yeah, I think he may just have not settled into the game yet, but if this is his best, he is not worth the amount we will have to pay."
"Oh yeah, absolutely."
The second half was much more entertaining. The first goal came in the 50th minute and it was spectacular. A corner was whipped in. The ball was headed away but only to Neymar, who smashed it first time into the top corner. The crowd went mental! 1-0.
However, the second goal was arguably better. Neymar got the ball, he passed it and ran on. He received the ball 40 yards out from goal. He took on a whole five players and he was one-on-one with the keeper. He faked a shot and went the other way, strolling past the keeper on the floor and tapped it into the open net.
The game ended 2-0 to Santos. Neymar really showed up in the second half, and the two men were very impressed.
