BRAZIL: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2014 - Brazil's Pele says there are 'doubts' in Brazils offence

Record ID: 695195

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2014 - Brazil's Pele says there are 'doubts' in Brazils offence
  • Date: 23rd May 2014
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FILE) (REUTERS) TEAM COACH SCOLARI ON THE PITCH MORE OF TEAM PRACTICE
  • Embargoed: 7th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAR2Y1MEPMOYEY791OWZF5S17L
  • Story Text: Brazilian soccer legend Pele on Thursday (May 22) said Brazil has a solid defence, but that there are still some doubts when it comes to the team's forwards which he suggested may be putting too much pressure on striker Neymar.
    However, the three-time World Cup champion said the 2014 squad is strong defensively and differs from past teams that were noteworthy for their attacking abilities.
    "It is the first time in Brazil's World Cup history, that Brazil goes out with a team with what would be a marvellous defence. Because from the midfield back, Brazil is great, it is already set. [Brazil's coach] Felipao [Luiz Felipe Scolari] knows this. However, from the midfield up there are still some doubts," Pele said.
    Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and Brazil are the runaway favourites to win a sixth World Cup title on home turf after taking last year's Confederations Cup.
    But Pele said the pressure on 22-year-old Neymar for his first World Cup appearance is starkly different than that Pele himself faced when he took the turf for Brazil when he was just 17.
    "I entered the team in like a supporting role. It's different than the responsibility they are putting on Neymar," Pele, who also mentioned Brazil forward Hulk as another standout, said.
    It is the first World Cup to be played on Brazilian soil since 1950 when Uruguay beat Brazil 2:1 in the Maracana, the same venue that will host this year's final on July 13.
    "It would be marvellous for the World Cup if God put Brazil and Uruguay in the final. If it were up to me I'd like to have this revenge," Pele said.
    The tournament will get underway in Sao Paulo on June 12 with the hosts taking on Croatia in the World Cup opener.
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