In 2002, Brazil swept all aside them on route to lifting the football World Cup for a record fifth time. However they struggled through qualifying and arrived in Japan and Korea with expectations that they would win the cup only found within the ranks of their squad.
Germany 2006 thus far has been the stark opposite, as since they won the famous trophy four years ago they have added the confederations cup in impressive style and consequently have arrived in Europe as overwhelming favourites. However two games into this years competition and things really are not going according to plan for the selecao and disquiet is growing in Brazilian society at large. It seems the favourites tag, as so often happens, is hanging like a weight around the team’s neck rather than acting as motivation.
Parreira, the team’s manger, confidently named his starting eleven a month before the tournament began, which included the infamous magic quartet of Robinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and the world greatest player Ronaldinho Gaucho. Ronaldo`s phenomenal girth initially attracted the most attention after his lame display in the teams less than convincing 1-0 victory over Crotia. The ever lovable Lula managed as ever to get himself involved as live on TV he directly asked the teams manger if the player was fat or not. Ronaldo not present at the time responded the next day by suggesting that if the press were correct in stating he was fat then they must also be correct in their reporting that the President is an alcoholic – only in Brazil!
The latest game saw Brazil take on Australia and again the eleven pre-selected players, or titulares as they are known here, failed to impress despite a 2-0 win. The general census in Brazil is that it is time to break up this aging side starting with Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Ze Roberto. Globo TV channel has a short nightly feature called “Nation of 180 million coaches” where they interview members of the public with regards to which players they would pick for the team. Time and time again the removal of the older key players is the recurring theme, it just remains to be seen if the manager has Globo playing through his Hotel TV.
In truth the second round of a world cup is no time to tear a side apart that has six points under its belt and is yet to concede a goal, however the growing feeling through Brazilian society that the time is ripe for a change on present evidence could well be correct. The next game against Japan may not be too important in terms points but will be time for a few players to rebuild reputations or they could well be making way for the likes of the ever lively Robinho or impressive Juninho Penambucano.
Germany 2006 thus far has been the stark opposite, as since they won the famous trophy four years ago they have added the confederations cup in impressive style and consequently have arrived in Europe as overwhelming favourites. However two games into this years competition and things really are not going according to plan for the selecao and disquiet is growing in Brazilian society at large. It seems the favourites tag, as so often happens, is hanging like a weight around the team’s neck rather than acting as motivation.
Parreira, the team’s manger, confidently named his starting eleven a month before the tournament began, which included the infamous magic quartet of Robinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and the world greatest player Ronaldinho Gaucho. Ronaldo`s phenomenal girth initially attracted the most attention after his lame display in the teams less than convincing 1-0 victory over Crotia. The ever lovable Lula managed as ever to get himself involved as live on TV he directly asked the teams manger if the player was fat or not. Ronaldo not present at the time responded the next day by suggesting that if the press were correct in stating he was fat then they must also be correct in their reporting that the President is an alcoholic – only in Brazil!
The latest game saw Brazil take on Australia and again the eleven pre-selected players, or titulares as they are known here, failed to impress despite a 2-0 win. The general census in Brazil is that it is time to break up this aging side starting with Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Ze Roberto. Globo TV channel has a short nightly feature called “Nation of 180 million coaches” where they interview members of the public with regards to which players they would pick for the team. Time and time again the removal of the older key players is the recurring theme, it just remains to be seen if the manager has Globo playing through his Hotel TV.
In truth the second round of a world cup is no time to tear a side apart that has six points under its belt and is yet to concede a goal, however the growing feeling through Brazilian society that the time is ripe for a change on present evidence could well be correct. The next game against Japan may not be too important in terms points but will be time for a few players to rebuild reputations or they could well be making way for the likes of the ever lively Robinho or impressive Juninho Penambucano.
posted by Tim & Fabi @ 10:58 PM
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