Defending champions Brazil will kick off the Confederations Cup as they square off against Japan in the first match of the tournament.
Having fared so well in the competition in the past, Brazil will be under increasing pressure to win the tournament for the third consecutive time and this time they will have to do it in front of a football-crazy home crowd.
The Samba giants have been on a downward spiral since 2006 and after enjoying the first 15 years of the official FIFA world rankings in the top bracket, the Selecao have now reached their worst ever position and are ranked as the 22nd best team in the world.
The responsibility to guide Brazil back to glory days lies on the shoulders of young Brazilian stars who might be short on experience but have a myriad of qualities.
Brazil have been placed in Group A where they will battle against Japan, Mexico and Italy for the top berth. Their 3-0 thumping of France in their last friendly match before the Confederations Cup will surely give the Samba giants confidence ahead of their opening game against Japan. Brazil have scored eight goals against the 2002 World Cup hosts in their last two meetings and their recent form suggests that Japan should not be a hurdle in Brazil’s quest for glory.
Brazil next face Mexico, a team which denied them of the gold medal in London Olympics 2012. Whereas it is important for the team not to be haunted by past memories, it is also imperative for Brazil to not take their counterparts lightly.
Scolari’s men will face their toughest challenge in the group stages when they face Euro 2012 finalists Italy. Unlike Brazil, the Azzurri have been growing from strength to strength and have in their ranks some budding stars who can surely hurt Brazil. However Italy’s preparations for the Confederations Cup came to a disappointing end when they were held to a 2-2 draw by lower ranked Haiti, a result which Cesare Prandelli described as being “embarrassing”.
For Brazil to succeed in this tournament it is highly essential that their young guns are assisted by the experienced personnel in the team. The likes of Thiago Silva, Dante, Dani Alves and Marcelo represent some of the biggest teams in Europe and it is imperative that they lead from the front.
Apart from a rock solid defense Brazil also have in their squad a plethora of attacking talent. Whereas new Barcelona signing Neymar is to remain the focal point of all the media attention, Brazil have in their squad other budding stars who are more than capable to cause havoc in the most disciplined of defenses.
Much will be expected from the likes of Chelsea’s Oscar and Paris Saint Germain’s Lucas Moura. Both men have exceeded expectations when performing for their respective clubs and will need to replicate their club form for the national team.
Neymar will be keen to justify why he was worth every penny of the momentous fees Barcelona paid for him. The Brazilian star has failed to make an impression in the recent international friendlies and will be raring to show the world why he is currently the hottest prospect in world football.
For Brazil to succeed in the tournament it is highly essential that the performances of key men are on par with the expectations. The Confederations Cup will give us a glimpse of what to expect from the Samba giants when they take part in the biggest tournament in world football next year, a triumphant campaign will surely make them one of the favourites for the biggest title in football.
The Samba giants have been on a downward spiral since 2006 and after enjoying the first 15 years of the official FIFA world rankings in the top bracket, the Selecao have now reached their worst ever position and are ranked as the 22nd best team in the world.
The responsibility to guide Brazil back to glory days lies on the shoulders of young Brazilian stars who might be short on experience but have a myriad of qualities.
Brazil have been placed in Group A where they will battle against Japan, Mexico and Italy for the top berth. Their 3-0 thumping of France in their last friendly match before the Confederations Cup will surely give the Samba giants confidence ahead of their opening game against Japan. Brazil have scored eight goals against the 2002 World Cup hosts in their last two meetings and their recent form suggests that Japan should not be a hurdle in Brazil’s quest for glory.
Brazil next face Mexico, a team which denied them of the gold medal in London Olympics 2012. Whereas it is important for the team not to be haunted by past memories, it is also imperative for Brazil to not take their counterparts lightly.
Scolari’s men will face their toughest challenge in the group stages when they face Euro 2012 finalists Italy. Unlike Brazil, the Azzurri have been growing from strength to strength and have in their ranks some budding stars who can surely hurt Brazil. However Italy’s preparations for the Confederations Cup came to a disappointing end when they were held to a 2-2 draw by lower ranked Haiti, a result which Cesare Prandelli described as being “embarrassing”.
For Brazil to succeed in this tournament it is highly essential that their young guns are assisted by the experienced personnel in the team. The likes of Thiago Silva, Dante, Dani Alves and Marcelo represent some of the biggest teams in Europe and it is imperative that they lead from the front.
Apart from a rock solid defense Brazil also have in their squad a plethora of attacking talent. Whereas new Barcelona signing Neymar is to remain the focal point of all the media attention, Brazil have in their squad other budding stars who are more than capable to cause havoc in the most disciplined of defenses.
Much will be expected from the likes of Chelsea’s Oscar and Paris Saint Germain’s Lucas Moura. Both men have exceeded expectations when performing for their respective clubs and will need to replicate their club form for the national team.
Neymar will be keen to justify why he was worth every penny of the momentous fees Barcelona paid for him. The Brazilian star has failed to make an impression in the recent international friendlies and will be raring to show the world why he is currently the hottest prospect in world football.
For Brazil to succeed in the tournament it is highly essential that the performances of key men are on par with the expectations. The Confederations Cup will give us a glimpse of what to expect from the Samba giants when they take part in the biggest tournament in world football next year, a triumphant campaign will surely make them one of the favourites for the biggest title in football.
