Copa America Centenario

Group B

Saturday 4th June 2016

Kick off 19.00 Actual 19.06

Brazil 0 Ecuador 0, attendance 53,158

@ The Rose Bowl

1001, Rose Bowl Drive

Pasadena, CA 91103

Admission $110 + $16.55 fees, Print at home ticket

No programme.

An early flight down to Los Angeles, shared with what seemed to be the entire Columbian media, including one of the most instantly recognisable Colombian footballers, Carlos Valderrama, allowed plenty of time to collect a hire car and check in to my hotel. It may actually have worked out cheaper to travel with Uber, as on top of the 62 mile round trip to Pasadena, the parking was a rip off $40.

The Rose Bowl was built in 1922 and has a record attendance of 106,869, set in 1973, but nowadays it seats 92,542. It is primarily an American Football venue, hosting the annual Rose Bowl Game, from where it takes its name and is also home to U.C.L.A. Bruins of the N.C.A.A. As well as 5 Super Bowl games it is better known in proper football terms for hosting the final of the F.I.F.A. World Cup in 1994.

Ecuador should have won this and did have a goal ruled out, I think incorrectly, as replays on tv showed. Brazil were absolutely awful and quite how they made three substitutions without replacing the totally inept Philippe Coutinho didn’t help matters. Certainly a player who performs much better at club level. The real problem for them though, was the fact that Neymar was missing the tournament, as his club Barcelona wouldn’t allow his release for this and the upcoming Rio Olympics, the latter more important to Brazil as they were hosts. Certainly not football played in the style of the great Brazilian teams of the past and I wouldn’t imagine Dunga will remain as coach if this persists.

A very poor crowd I thought, although perhaps at a smaller stadium it wouldn’t have been so noticeable, with Ecuador having the greater share of support. At least it meant an easier exit from the car park and soon back at the airport to drop off the hire car.