Brazil itching to throw off pressure
Hosts hopeful of making mark against Croatia in Sao Paulo opener.
Brazil’s Dani Alves believes that the most important match of the World Cup is the opener as it will send out a message to their rivals. PHOTO: REUTERS
SAO PAULO:
Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday’s World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year’s Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.
The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble, but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener as they seek to ease the jitters.
“I have always said that if you don’t feel anxiety, it’s not worth being a professional athlete,” said Alves. “The opening game is important as well as difficult.
“The three points count, but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game.”
He added, “We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image.”
The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea teammate Willian pushing for a starting berth.
Croatia’s Modric admits to daunting task ahead
Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic because of a red card he picked up in a match against Iceland in November.
But they also boast Real Madrid’s Luka Modric in their line-up, who said the key to the game would be the midfield battle, admitting that the task of taking on Brazil in their own backyard was daunting.
“Virtually every game is decided in the midfield,” said Modric. “In most situations the winner is the team that has the better midfield. I hope that we can show our qualities and can beat Brazil. But this will of course be very difficult.”
Croatia are also waiting on clearance from Fifa to allow them to replace injured midfielder Ivan Mocinic with Milan Badelj, according to the national football federation Wednesday.
World Cup poised for troubled kick-off
Brazil’s President Dilma Roussef vowed that her country is ready to host the most trouble-plagued World Cup in history from Thursday, as she confronted public anger at the multi-billion-dollar price tag.
Rousseff acknowledged that organising the cup was tough, but she insisted that the 12 stadiums are ready and told foreign fans that Brazil would welcome them with ‘open arms’ like Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
“Brazil overcame the main obstacles and is ready on and off the pitch for the cup,” she said.
Rousseff said she understood the protesters but insisted they are wrong.
“For any country, organising a cup is like playing a game — sweating and often suffering with the possibility of extra-time and penalty kicks. But the final result and celebration are worth the effort.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2014.
Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday’s World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year’s Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.
The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble, but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener as they seek to ease the jitters.
“I have always said that if you don’t feel anxiety, it’s not worth being a professional athlete,” said Alves. “The opening game is important as well as difficult.
“The three points count, but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game.”
He added, “We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image.”
The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea teammate Willian pushing for a starting berth.
Croatia’s Modric admits to daunting task ahead
Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic because of a red card he picked up in a match against Iceland in November.
But they also boast Real Madrid’s Luka Modric in their line-up, who said the key to the game would be the midfield battle, admitting that the task of taking on Brazil in their own backyard was daunting.
“Virtually every game is decided in the midfield,” said Modric. “In most situations the winner is the team that has the better midfield. I hope that we can show our qualities and can beat Brazil. But this will of course be very difficult.”
Croatia are also waiting on clearance from Fifa to allow them to replace injured midfielder Ivan Mocinic with Milan Badelj, according to the national football federation Wednesday.
World Cup poised for troubled kick-off
Brazil’s President Dilma Roussef vowed that her country is ready to host the most trouble-plagued World Cup in history from Thursday, as she confronted public anger at the multi-billion-dollar price tag.
Rousseff acknowledged that organising the cup was tough, but she insisted that the 12 stadiums are ready and told foreign fans that Brazil would welcome them with ‘open arms’ like Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
“Brazil overcame the main obstacles and is ready on and off the pitch for the cup,” she said.
Rousseff said she understood the protesters but insisted they are wrong.
“For any country, organising a cup is like playing a game — sweating and often suffering with the possibility of extra-time and penalty kicks. But the final result and celebration are worth the effort.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2014.