New Real Madrid signing Kaka has defended the penalty decision that handed Brazil a controversial 4-3 win in their Confederations Cup opener against Egypt.
The former AC Milan playmaker converted the spot kick in the 91st minute to crush Egyptian hopes on late Monday after they fought back from 3-1 down.
"It was definitely a penalty," said Kaka, who will link up next year at Real with the club's other big money summer signing, Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It is good for the referee to have people around him to help," he added, referring to English referee Howard Webb apparently awarding the penalty after consulting with the fourth official who Egypt claimed watched a video replay.
Referees are not allowed to use video technology.
Egypt said it would lodge an official complaint with FIFA.
"The Egyptian Football Association finds it very strange that the referee whistles for a corner and the linesman said corner and then the decision came from the fourth official," said deputy coach Shawky Gharib.
"Since when do the regulations say it is a penalty based on the monitors or on the television?"
The controversy overshadowed a thrilling encounter which saw Kaka score twice for Brazil with AS Roma's Juan and Sevilla frontman Luis Fabiano also getting on the scoresheet.
Kaka opened his account with a trademark piece of magic, exploiting hesitancy in the Egyptian defence to give Brazil the lead in the fifth minute.
Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves chipped the ball into the box and Kaka took one touch to lob it over a defender then rounded another before slotting it past goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary.
But Brazil's jubilation did not last long with Egypt back on level terms four minutes later when Mohamed Aboutrika crossed from the right and Zidan rose above Alves to send a powerful header into the net.
There was more drama to come in a breathless opening spell with Brazil taking the lead again after 12 minutes when Elano's free kick found Luis Fabiano, who cleverly directed his header into the bottom left-hand corner.
Brazil got their third eight minutes before the break when Juan climbed above the defence to plant a header past Al-Hadary from Elano's well-placed corner.
Egypt had plenty to prove here after crashing 3-1 to Algeria in World Cup qualifying last week - a result which has put their place at next year's tournament in doubt - and they showed their mettle in the second half.
After a clever build-up Sayed Moawad pulled the ball back from down the left to Mohamed Shawky, who thundered a right-footed strike past Julio Cesar in the 54th minute.
Before a dazed Brazil had time to recover, Zidan found the net barely a minute later to pull Egypt level.
The game looked destined for a draw until substitute Ahmed al-Muhamadi deliberately handled the ball on the Egyptian goal-line and was sent off, leaving Kaka to coolly convert from the spot in the 91st minute.
Brazilian coach Dunga was happy to get the win, saying his team was jetlagged after the long trip from South America.
"We had two tough (World Cup) qualifiers, 23 hours of travel and the time difference. The players have not been sleeping well so obviously we are quite happy with the win," he said.
(AFP via China Daily June 17, 2009)
