Sports/Olympics / Off the Pitch

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.