Brazil is the only country whose national flag bears football. A huge country with distinct culture has two classes of population –very rich and extremely poor. But one thing is very common. That is their love and passion.
Brazilians are fun loving and playing and watching football is one their way of life. It does not matter whether they are poor or rich, young and old. For Brazil in world stage nothing less than winning a cup is considered a success. The most successful team in the world Brazil has won it a record five times and has set its target to win the sixth time at home soil. Yes they are on a mission “HEXA”.
Early morning at 0200 AM Bangladesh standard time at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza Brazil’s HEXA dream will have barrier to hurdle over against a very impressive South American mate Columbia. Though Columbia in this world cup is one of the inform team winning all four of its matches dominating their opponents yet a combination of Brazil’s willpower on home soil and their historical superiority over their opponents may see Colombia just unable to complete the job.
Brazil survived by the skin of the teeth against Chile in the Round of 16 and their match against another South American rival in a quarterfinal promises to be every bit as strenuous an examination of the host's World cup credentials. The woodwork twice came to Brazil’s rescue in one of the tightest matches of the tournament against Chile, first when Mauricio Pinilla’s strike in the dying embers of extra time pinged back off the cross bar and then when Gonzalo Jara’s penalty in the shootout bounced to safety off the post. It was yet another game in this World Cup where Brazil failed to impress, but in which they prevailed.
Just a few minutes back I was talking with my Brazilian Face book Friend Izabel Julia Lady Journalist covering World Cup for a leading Brazlian Newspaper. I asked to update about the tempo there at Brazil Camp and the city for the match.
She told me of unbelievable unity of the entire Brazilian nation praying and wishing success for the Selecaos. “We shine like gold when we need to, don’t worry my friend, you will see a different Brazil today. “Julia said.
“The team has failed to impress so far. But they all know about it and all looked relaxed but determined to win today” she said. The team Psychologist had separate session with every player and reported that all the players are in very good mental makeup.”
Having produced their most intense beginning to a match in the tournament, Brazil faded agonizingly against Chile. Their inability to control the midfield left Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side reliant on physicality and direct balls forward. No one can deny that this 2014 team is no way near the victorious vintage of 1970. It cannot also be compared yet with the 1982 side regarded by many as the best ever not to win the World Cup.
The failure to win the trophy in 1982 proved the final straw in Brazil turning away from the awe-inspiring stylists that wowed the world to a far more pragmatic approach. And the results have been laid bare in 2014.Brazil is no longer consistently producing the quality passing midfielders, leaving them reliant on counter-attacking, out-running and over-powering.
There is, of course, one notable exception in the current team. Neymar is now the one player in the starting lineup who still adheres to the image of o jogo bonito, which explains why there is such immense pressure on his slight shoulders. The 22-year-old has coped remarkably well with that responsibility so far, but he faded against Chile, perhaps due to a knee injury that had initially raised fears about his ability to start against Colombia.
That Neymar, along with several of his teammates, greeted Brazil’s victorious penalty shootout against Chile with tears of relief rather than leaps of joy spoke to the weight of expectation on both him and the team. Couple that reaction with the intensity with which they all belt out the national anthem ahead of each game, and there have to be fears about the mental and emotional energy being expended by a squad which has three matches still to play in order to reach their goal. This reaction earned some flak from football heroes of the past and prompted boss Scholari seek assistance of team psychologist.
Colombia on the other hand is beaming along its dream run. They look primed to take advantage and continue their own emotional journey. In the country’s first World Cup since their golden generation of the 1990s suffered tragedy and an ultimately disappointing end, Colombia have impressed more than any other team so far in Brazil. José Peterman’s attacking side have thrilled with their combination of skill and pace, embodied by star men James Rodríguez and Juan Cuadrado.
Argentininan boss Pékerman, will tune his team for an epic battle with a heavy sense of déjà vu heading into a quarterfinal with Brazil. Eight years ago Pékerman, led his native Argentina into a quarterfinal against hosts Germany, having been the standout team of the tournament to date. Argentina were fulfilling that form, leading Germany 1-0 heading into the final 20 minutes. Then with 18 minutes remaining, Pékerman withdrew the player that made his side tick, playmaker Juan Román Riquelme, for a more defensively minded replacement. Eight minutes later Germany equalized before going onto win on penalties. That bitter memory possibly still haunts him.
Today against a host of Brazil’s pedigree the works of Colombia is well cut out. If it happens that Columbia gets into lead early on can they afford to sit back and soak series of Brazlian counter attacks? Can Pékerman, along with his talented but inexperienced squad of players, hold his nerve this time around?
“Brazil is a team that grows match after match. We have already crossed four of the seven stairs to dream HEXA. We will be definitely to meet the football once again. Football God gives us sparks when needed,” Julia said.
I did not tell her that millions in Bangladesh are also praying for Brazil success in the holy month of Ramadan. But she knows the team and the fans will be donning the Jersey sewed with the hands Bangladeshi Garments girls. Wish of Bangladesh is already with Brazil.
** What Brazil needs to do?
BDST: 1352 HRS, JUL 04, 2014
