TALLINN — Lowly-ranked Estonia proved capable of holding their own against the world’s footballing elite, going down gallantly 0-1 to Brazil last Wednesday. Concerned about the lack of match practice his top players had received as a team of recent, Brazilian coach Dunga was happy to accept the invitation from Estonia to play in Tallinn as part of the Estonian Football Association’s tenth anniversary celebrations.

As expected, the Brazilians dominated most of the play with the only goal coming in the 43rd minute to Luis Fabiano after constant attack wore down the resolute Estonian defense. However, the Brazilians cruised in the second half with Dunga trying a number of combinations.

The Estonians, ranked 112 places in the world below Brazil on the FIFA World Rankings did not seem overawed by the occasion, proving to be a physically demanding opposition for the Brazilians, with a number of yellow, and one red card issued late in the game.

It was perhaps these rough tactics employed by the Estonians that threw the Brazilians off their game and stopped it from being the walkover that many had predicted it to be. The game will serve as a well needed warm up game for the Brazilians before they meet South American rivals Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on Sept. 5.

For the Estonians, it was a match that many of their players will cherish and regardless of their limited opportunities, the low scoreline will no doubt give the team confidence heading into its next World Cup qualifying match against Turkey, also on Sept. 5.

Brazil 1 (Fabiano 43′), Estonia 0