RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, June 03 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a proud man after netting for England in their friendly draw Sunday against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium – but his father, who played in the side which famously won in Rio 29 years ago, missed the moment after nodding off back home in front of the television set.
In the event, neither father nor son could recall much about the neat strike which levelled Fred’s opener for Brazil in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
“I’m sure my dad will be happy with that. I can’t really remember it,” admitted Arsenal star Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made sure he bagged Barcelona-bound Neymar’s shirt after the contest which Brazil used as a warm-up for their Confederations Cup opener against Japan in two weeks’ time.
“Frank Lampard flicked it on, I got it back off Wayne Rooney and just hit it. I’m just glad I could make a contribution. We wanted to close the game out so we are disappointed we didn’t but we showed great passion and fight, Brazil are a great side but we kept our shape,” he told the BBC.
Meanwhile, former Stoke winger Mark Chamberlain somewhat sheepishly told BBC radio he missed the crucial moment.
“I didn’t see it, I was dropping his mother off at the airport at 6am this morning so I fell asleep – it was on tape so I’ll watch it in a minute. I realised when his agent rang me up.”
