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Brazil favored to edge past Belgium
"The time has come to show why Brazilian soccer is here," said Rivaldo, who scored in each of Brazil's first three games. "When we get the ball, it's the time to demonstrate that the Brazilian player makes the difference," added Ricardinho. Brazil has plenty of reasons to be confident. The South Americans swept Group C with three straight wins over Turkey, China and Costa Rica and have outscored their opponents 11-3. With the surprising early exit of Argentina and defending champion France, Brazil is the oddsmakers' pick to win a record fifth Cup title. Meanwhile, Belgium narrowly squeaked into the second round, coming from behind to overtake Russia 3-2 in its last match after ties against Japan and Tunisia to finish second in Group H. Against Brazil, the underdog role suits them fine. "It is just nice that we can even dream of beating Brazil," said Belgium coach Robert Waseige. But all the talk about Brazil's favoritism worries coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. He's concerned that the team will repeat its recent defensive mistakes and lapses in concentration that could be fatal in the knockout stage. Scolari showed his players tapes of Brazil's last match against Costa Rica, when the team relaxed after opening a 3-0 lead. The Costa Ricans scored two quick goals nearly tied the game before Brazil turned it up and won 5-2. "It's hard to complain about an attack that scored five goals," said goalkeeper Marcos. "But everyone has to help out on defense so we don't let in goals." Still, Brazil plans to come hard at Belgium, using a swarming ground attack led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho -- the "triple R" attack that has accounted for eight of Brazil's 11 goals. Ronaldo, who is rapidly recovering his form after a two year-absence for knee surgery, leads all Brazilian scorers with four goals and again is expected to play the full 90 minutes. "Brazil has to play its game, not change anything," said Rivaldo. Ronaldinho. who sat out the last game to avoid the risk of picking up his second yellow card and an automatic one-game suspension. returns to the lineup in place of striker Edilson. Roberto Carlos, recovered from leg muscle pains, is back in place of Junior. Also earning a starting berth is defender Edmilson, who scored Brazil's third goal against Costa Rica on a lovely bicycle kick. Edmilson lost the starting spot after a poor showing against Turkey in Brazil's opening match but now returns in place of Anderson Polga. Although the two teams have never faced each other in the World Cup, Brazil has an idea what to expect for the "Red Devils." "They lay back in their own penalty area, defending with 10 players, which makes it difficult to open their defense and requires us to have patience," Rivaldo said. "In the beginning it will be hard, but after we score the first goal it will be easier to control the game." At practice, Scolari scolded Rivaldo for slacking off on defense and trained his back line to face the Belgian aerial attack. Brazil plans to intercept the Belgians in the midfield and stifle the high cross into the goal area. "Belgium only runs this kind of play," Scolari told his players. "It's all they know how to do." The Belgian offense is based on caution and counterstrikes, led by veteran Marc Wilmots of Germany's Schalke 04. The 33-year-old midfielder has scored three of his team's six goals, one in each game. "This could be Brazil's most difficult game of the Cup," said Roberto Carlos. "We have to be very careful to avoid surprises." |
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