Brazil:how to play without the ball
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-26 10:14
WEGGIS, Switzerland, May 25 -- Brazil's 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.
Brazilian soccer coach
Parreira kicks a ball during his squad training session.
[Reuters] | "There's not a lot to teach these
players when they've got the ball," said Parreira, whose team includes names
such as Ronaldo, Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldinho 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 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.
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