|
Brazil to play against Croatia, Australia and Japan
«Brazil in the World Cups
«Brazil in the 2006 Germany World Cup
Dice were rolled, and Brazil will play, in the first stage, against Croatia (June 13th, in Berlin), Australia (June 18th, in Munich) and Japan (June 22nd, Dortmunt); check schedule here.
Brazilians were happy. This is not the easiest group (groups A, D and H look easier), but not the toughest either (groups C and E look tougher).
Despite the favoritism, Brazilians are not euphoric. First, because we still remember that Argentina arrived as favorite in Japan, but returned home very early.
Second, because there is true respect for the adversaries.
Croatia was placed third in the 1998 Cup in France; they qualified in first position of their group, beating Sweden; it is around the 20th position in the FIFA ranking.
Australia looks like the underdog of the group, but they qualified to the Cup by beating all teams in Oceania AND Uruguay.
Japan is one of the countries with fastest growth in football. There has been interchange between Japan and Brazil over the past years; Japanese players have been training in Brazil, Brazilian players have played in Japanese teams. The most famous of such Brazilian players is Zico, who played in the unforgetable Brazilian team of 1982; Zico played for years in Japan, and will be the coach of the Japanese team in the World Cup. Brazilians still remember that Japan won Brazil by 1 x 0 in the 1996 Summer Olympics, in Atlanta, and all matches between Brazil and Japan have been tough ever since.
Brazilians are respectful, but confidents.
Another positive point is that, if Brazil and Germany have to play against each other, the match can only be in the final (Berlin, July 9th) or in the 3rd place match (Sttutgart, July 8th); see schedule here.
Back to Top
|
|
