A youthful Brazil side enjoyed an impressive 2-0 win over the United States in a friendly at the New Meadowlands stadium Tuesday, handing new coach Mano Menezes a victory in his first game in charge. Winger Neymar, controversially left out of previous coach Dunga's World Cup squad, produced an excellent debut performance including grabbing the opening goal in what was an upbeat and encouraging display. The result and the way it was achieved will be of great encouragement to Brazilians, who are looking forward to hosting the 2014 World Cup Finals but still hurting at their quarterfinal exit to the Netherlands in South Africa. After troubling the American defense from the outset, Brazil went ahead in the 28th minute when left-back Andre Santos broke down the flank and whipped in a superb cross to the back post, which the 18-year-old Neymar met with a thundering header. The second goal came in time added on at the end of the first half when a simple passing move from the back, ended with Ramires putting in Alexandre Pato who coolly slotted past Tim Howard. Brazil had a number of chances in the second half but US substitute keeper Brad Guzan pulled off some fine saves while debutant Paulo Henrique Ganso, who looked confident in the main playmaker's role, struck the post with a 25-meter effort. Menezes' promise to produce a team with a more appealing approach to the game was instantly evident with Lucas and Ramires playing the holding midfield roles with little trouble while Robinho, Ganso and Neymar interchanged impressively behind the main striker Pato. Dani Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho were the only members of Menezes' squad who were in South Africa. Italy loses to Ivory Coast Cesare Prandelli lost his first match as coach of Italy Tuesday when his team was beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast in a friendly. Italy fullback Marco Motta went close to scoring in the 47th minute when he shot against the post before defender Kolo Toure headed the African side ahead in the 55th. Seydou Doumbia and Guy Demel worked an opening on the right for Demel to curl in a cross that Toure headed past debut-making goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. But Italy showed touches of class in its first match since its humiliating elimination from the first round of the World Cup, with the recalled Antonio Cassano at the center of much of the team's best work.
