Porto-target Caio provided a rare positive for hosts Al Ain as they clawed past amateurs Team Wellington in the 2018 Club World Cup’s opener.
Caio converted in a penalty shootout which was eventually decided by visiting skipper Justin Gulley’s saved effort. Previously, the Boss had fought back from three-goals down to make it to extra time.
Here is an analysis of the Brazilian forward’s display.
30-SECOND REPORT
Hot-favourites Al Ain faced a shock three-goal deficit to their Kiwi opponents after Mario struck from distance, Aaron Clapham’s found the bottom corner and Mario Ilich tapped in.
Tsukasa Shiotani gave them home with a fine low finish of his own in first-half injury time. Then further goes followed from debutant Tongo Doumbia’s slide – assisted by Caio – and substitute Marcus Berg’s superb half-volley.
Mohamed Abdulrahman was dismissed for the hosts at the end of extra time. An eventful shootout witnessed misses from Berg – who was nursing a fever – and Angus Kilkolly, prior to UAE No1 Khalid Essa’s clinching stop from Gulley.
GOT RIGHT
Taking on the fight – Amid the chaos that surrounded him, Caio never gave up.
He saw a finely taken goal correctly denied by the video assistant referee because of an earlier foul, forced several fine saves, rattled the post with a deftly calibrated slice and teed up Doumbia’s second.
His dribbling skills and awareness of space also befuddled opponents not used to meeting such a rare – and electrified – talent.
In the shootout, Caio sunk the high-pressure fifth penalty.
A winger’s worth often comes down to a desire to take risks. Caio took no backwards steps.
Did he do enough? – Caio has to be judged by a higher standard these days after repeat links to Portugal giants Porto emerged.
If they had scouts posted to watch next summer’s free agent in action, they’ll be asking the question: did he do enough?
The answer has to be ‘yes’.
On another night, Caio would have emerged with a two-goal haul. Mohanad Salem’s earlier foul denied him a well-taken goal, via VAR, and the keeper was well beaten when his sliced effort bounced off the woodwork.
Allied with a good pick out for Doumbia’s debut goal, this was a positive night for Caio on an individual level.
KEY MOMENTS
29th min VAR – Hussein El Shahat and Caio exchange passes, before the Brazilian effortlessly slots home to make it 1-3. But a clumsy foul by centre-back Mohanad Salem causes VAR to get involved.
49th min ASSIST – Caio’s fine footwork makes space on the left wing and he looks up to see the advancing Doumbia. The Mali midfielder meets Caio’s cross, emphatically, on the back stick to make it 2-3.
77th min WOODWORK – What an impudent effort by Caio. He against evades several markets to make space. He strikes the ball with the outside of his boot, but the swerve places it on a collision course with the post.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT – Caio has nerves of steel to convert the fifth penalty. This sets the stage for Gulley’s deciding effort.
VERDICT
A stalled, if not failed, recruitment of wantaway Sporting Lisbon playmaker Ruben Ribeiro points at the Boss already preparing for life without Caio.
On this evidence, it will take some player to adequately replace him.
Team Welly, simply, had no answer to his vast skillset. Even a five-man defence could not adequately contain him.
With an ability to roam infield and cause devastation with both feet, the 24-year-old represents an emerging talent who is ready to make the big step-up into European football.
When Hulk moved from Japan to Porto, it worked out pretty well.
RATING – A