Kaka, Fabiano connecting for Brazil at WC

June 30, 2010 03:48 pm | Updated 03:49 pm IST - JOHANNESBURG

A quick look. A pass. A goal. Another assist from Kaka and another goal by Luis Fabiano for Brazil.

The pair have been key for the five-time champions at the World Cup, teaming up perfectly just as they did when they played for Brazilian club Sao Paulo before becoming top stars in Europe.

Luis Fabiano has scored three goals in four matches in South Africa, two of them after passes from Kaka. The two have been creating some of the most dangerous scoring chances for Brazil at the World Cup, leaving opponents humbled with their crafty moves. “We have a perfect connection,” Luis Fabiano said. “We understand each other. I just have to get in position and I know he will get the ball to me.”

Kaka set up Luis Fabiano with a perfect through ball in Brazil’s 3-1 win over Ivory Coast in the group stage, leaving the striker in front of the net for the team’s first goal.

On Monday in the 3-0 win against Chile in the second round, Kaka one-touched a quick pass to Luis Fabiano inside the area and he rounded the goalkeeper before finding the open net for the team’s second goal.

“We have a very good connection, especially because of the time we played together for Sao Paulo. One look is enough to know what we are going to do,” Kaka said. “I hope to give him many more assists in the rest of the World Cup and that he ends up as the top scorer.”

Kaka and Luis Fabiano played for Sao Paulo from 2001-03, winning the 2001 Rio-Sao Paulo title and reaching the final stages of the Brazilian championship in 2002. Kaka left to AC Milan in 2003, while Luis Fabiano moved to FC Porto in 2004 and then to Sevilla in Spain a year later.

Luis Fabiano was the leading scorer in last year’s Confederations Cup with five goals in five matches, including two in the final win over the United States.

This year he is trailing Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain, Spain’s David Villa and Slovakia’s Robert Vittek, who each have four goals.

“I’m trying to help Brazil win the title, that’s what I want,” said Luis Fabiano, whose other goal this year also was against Ivory Coast. “If in the end I’m also the top scorer, better.”

Kaka arrived at the World Cup as Brazil’s biggest star, but he struggled to stay in shape after a season plagued by injuries with Real Madrid. He is yet to score a goal, but said he is perfectly happy sticking with the playmaking role in South Africa.

“That’s fine,” Kaka said. “Of course everyone wants to score goals in a World Cup, but honestly, it’s not something I worry too much about. I’m happy to keep helping my teammates score so Brazil can keep winning.”

Kaka also had an assist in Elano’s third goal against Ivory Coast.

But surprisingly, this year the playmaker has also been making headlines for his indiscipline. Kaka missed Brazil’s match against Portugal in the group stage because of a late red card against Ivory Coast. He also received a yellow card on Monday against Chile, his third in three matches.

“I’ll try to be more careful now,” Kaka said. “I don’t want to run the risk of missing a semifinal in the World Cup.”

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