Don’t expect too much from jet-lagged Brazil: Scholari
12 Oct 2013 6:04 AM IST
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari warned South Korean fans not to expect too much Samba skill from his jet-lagged squad when the two World Cup finalists clash in a friendly in Seoul on Saturday.
‘Since many were tired after 30-hour flight, we practised one day in an indoor pool and spent another day doing a light workout,’ Scolari told reporters in Seoul on Friday.
‘We don’t expect anything. Our players won’t have the best conditions tomorrow.’ Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in South Korea in 2002, said that his prized striker Neymar would be fit to play in the friendly clash.
Despite the concerns about tiredness, the Confederations Cup winners are favourites to overcome the Koreans, who struggled through their World Cup qualifying campaign before booking a place in Brazil. Scolari, though, was cautious about the challenge the Koreans would pose now under former skipper Hong Myung-bo, who was appointed head coach in June.
‘South Korea has been playing quite well,’ the former Portugal, Palmeiras and Chelsea coach said. ‘It is advancing to the World Cup for the eighth time now. The record shows it is a strong team.’ David Luiz, also talked up the challenge of the Koreans, highlighting two players to watch out for but admitting he knew little about the others in the squad.
‘I think South Korea is one of the strongest teams in the world. Brazil will head to China after Saturday’s match to face Zambia in Beijing on Tuesday.
‘Since many were tired after 30-hour flight, we practised one day in an indoor pool and spent another day doing a light workout,’ Scolari told reporters in Seoul on Friday.
‘We don’t expect anything. Our players won’t have the best conditions tomorrow.’ Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in South Korea in 2002, said that his prized striker Neymar would be fit to play in the friendly clash.
Despite the concerns about tiredness, the Confederations Cup winners are favourites to overcome the Koreans, who struggled through their World Cup qualifying campaign before booking a place in Brazil. Scolari, though, was cautious about the challenge the Koreans would pose now under former skipper Hong Myung-bo, who was appointed head coach in June.
‘South Korea has been playing quite well,’ the former Portugal, Palmeiras and Chelsea coach said. ‘It is advancing to the World Cup for the eighth time now. The record shows it is a strong team.’ David Luiz, also talked up the challenge of the Koreans, highlighting two players to watch out for but admitting he knew little about the others in the squad.
‘I think South Korea is one of the strongest teams in the world. Brazil will head to China after Saturday’s match to face Zambia in Beijing on Tuesday.
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