Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Football Fiesta » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

No ball practice for Brazil
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
May 26, 2006 13:14 IST

Brazil's [Images] priority before the World Cup is to learn how to play when the opposition has got the ball, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Thursday.

"There's not a lot to teach these players when they've got the ball," said Parreira, whose team includes names such as Ronaldo [Images], Kaka [Images], Adriano, Ronaldinho [Images] and Robinho.

"They're all capable of a deciding a match in an instant and they're all players who, when they're in a difficult situation in a match, know how to react and get out of it.

"What we need to do is to organise the team without the ball, so they know what to do when the opposition is in possession.

"Brazil have the best players in the world but talent alone is not enough to win the World Cup. We have to make these talents work together in a team and if we can do that we will go a long way towards winning the World Cup."

Brazil spent just over one hour playing a defence versus attack match during a practice session on Thursday which was again watched by a paying crowd of around 5,000 fans.

Parreira said the team was not bothered by the carnival atmosphere of the crowd, who are less than two metres from the edge of the pitch in the lakeside resort of Weggis.

"It's nice for the players to be applauded and recognised," said Parreira.

"It has not, in any way, disturbed the rhythm of our work."

Parreira said he considered the second round -- when Brazil will face one of Ghana, United States, Italy [Images] or the Czech Republic if they qualify -- the most dangerous part of the World Cup.

"In the group stage, you can lose a game and can still qualify. After that, if you lose, you're out. Our biggest responsibility is in the second round."

Brazil will play Croatia in their opening World Cup match on June 13 before facing Australia and Japan [Images].



  • Football Fiesta: Complete coverage

    © Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
     Email this Article      Print this Article
    © 2006 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback