The Hindu : Sport / Football : Brazil looking for better show

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Friday, Jun 16, 2006

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Brazil looking for better show

KOENIGSTEIN: Brazil is already thinking beyond its below-average World Cup debut against Croatia, hoping to improve in its last two group matches and the remainder of the competition.

The defending champion remained confident of its chances of a record sixth world title despite having to work hard to beat the Croats 1-0 on Tuesday in Berlin.

``Everything is under control,'' Ronaldinho told the Brazilian Soccer Confederation's website on Wednesday.

``Considering it was a World Cup opener, when there's a lot of tension, we were certain it would be a complicated match. But we also are certain that we will improve, and a lot, in the next matches.''

Brazil got the win — a record eighth consecutive in World Cups — with a goal by midfielder Kaka in the 44th minute. The Croats challenged throughout the match, however, and had several chances to come out with at least a draw in front of a crowd of 72,000 at Olympic Stadium.

Parreira's admission

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira called the result ``exceptional,'' but admitted the team's performance wasn't ideal.

``The national team needs to improve — and it can,'' Parreira told the CBF site.

The coach had been saying since the beginning of Brazil's pre-World Cup preparation three weeks ago that he didn't expect Brazil to be 100 per cent for the opener, and that the team would gradually improve.

Brazilian players got the day off on Wednesday before returning to practice for the team's second Group F match against Australia on Sunday in Munich. It will then face Japan on June 22 in Dortmund.

``It wasn't an easy game. We're very happy with the win, but we know that we can play much better,'' defender Juan said after the match.

`Defence crucial'

Parreira noted that the performance of Brazil's defence was crucial for the team's victory on Tuesday.

``If it weren't for the stability of our defensive sector, the win certainly would have been in jeopardy,'' he said. ``Croatia knew how to attack dangerously.''

Croatia will meet Japan — which lost 3-1 to Australia — on Saturday in Nuremberg. The Croats finished third in the 1998 World Cup in France.

``Some people might be disappointed that we only won 1-0,'' Brazil captain Cafu said. ``But that's the way the game went.'' — AP

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