Argentina and Brazil in role reversal

By Brian Homewood

BEIJING (Reuters) - Argentina's crushing 3-0 win over Brazil in their Olympic Games semi-final was another demonstration of how the two great football rivals have swapped roles in the last few years.

Argentina, often associated with pragmatic defence and gamesmanship, have adopted a stylish, passing game while Brazil have exchanged their previous flamboyance for brute force and counter-attacks.

Although Olympic soccer is an under-23 tournament, with three over-age players allowed in each squad, Tuesday's semi-final teams were mirror images of the senior sides.

Argentina, inspired by forward duo Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi, provided the artistry and Brazil, led by senior coach Dunga, used rough-arm tactics that resulted in red cards for midfielders Lucas and Thiago Neves in the last 10 minutes.

"We won in the way we like to win, we kept faith in our style of play and we won deservedly," said playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, an over-age player.

Argentina coach Sergio Batista said his team had learned the painful lessons from last year's Copa America final in Venezuela, when the Brazilian style prevailed.

On that occasion, Argentina went into the final as hot favourites after sweeping their way to five successive wins with flowing football. But they ran into an ambush.

Brazil struck an early goal, managed to nullify Riquelme and Messi, hit them on the counter-attack and ran out emphatic 3-0 winners.