Internacional striker Alan Kardec has scored four goals as Brazil reached the final of the U20 FIFA World Cup where they will face off against Ghana. Kardec leads Brazil in scoring but needs a miracle to reach Ghana’s Dominic Adiyiah as top scorer.
Start In Vasco Youth Ranks
Alan Kardec de Souza Pereira Junior – more known as Alan Kardec – was born on January 12, 1989 in Bansa Mansa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up playing in the Vasco da Gama youth ranks, where he joined in 2000. In 2007, Kardec made the jump to the Vasco first team and played his first match in February 2007 in the Copa do Brasil. He scored his first goal on April 11, 2007 against Botafogo in the Campeonato Carioca and struck for the first time in the Serie A on July 21, 2007
Loan To Internacional
Kardec finished the 2007 with eight goals in 26 Serie A contests. In 2008, he played 19 Serie A matches and tallied two goals. Vasco then decided on September 1, 2009 to send Kardec on loan for one season to Serie A side Internacional, with whom he has yet to play this season. Kardec is on contract with Vasco until June 30, 2012 though Internacional have a 2.5 million euro option after the one season.
Kardec Leading Balanced Attack
Brazil have scored 14 goals through six games though eight different players have found the back of the net. But Kardec leads the way with four goals with Alex Teixeira having scored three times and Maicon twice.
Strong Start In Egypt
Kardec’s U20 World Cup started in superb fashion with two first half goals in Brazil’s 5-0 opening victory over Costa Rica. He went scoreless and was subbed out against the Czech Republic and was subbed in against Australia but did not score in the final group match. In the Round of 16 showdown with neighbors Uruguay, Kardec opened the scoring after 22 minutes in sparking a 3-1 victory. In the quarters, Kardec went scoreless in a 2-1 extra time win over Germany.
Winner Sends Brazil To Final
In the semi-finals, Brazil and Costa Rica were playing even with the Central Americans having a number of chances. But it was Kardec who provided the Brazilians with the winner of a 1-0 victory to reach the final. In the 67th minute, Bertucci’s ball from the left side was deflected lightly in the middle of the area by Alex Teixeira and went to Kardec right of the goal and the striker volleyed home from a tight angle in a goal reminding some of Marco van Basten’s volley goal in the final of the 1988 European Championship against the USSR.
Title Number Five Close
Kardec is hoping to get the chance to strike another winner, this time to give Brazil their fifth U20 World Cup title following 1983, 1985, 1993 and 2003.
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