Brazil wary of nothing-to-lose Black Stars
Brazilian star striker Ronaldo is unsure who will start alongside him when the defending World Cup champions meet Ghana here Tuesday, but he and his squad know the African upstarts are a serious threat.
Ghana defeated Euro 2004 semi-finalist Czech Republic and 2002 World Cup quarter-finalist United States to book a shock berth in the round of 16, but the Cup debutantes are unfancied against an all-star team with five Cup crowns.
“We must not be complacent as they have plenty of quality players,” Ronaldo said. “We’ve watched their matches. We will try and prey on their weaknesses.”
Robinho, a 22-year-old teammate of Ronaldo at Real Madrid, is doubtful with a sore right thigh while two-time starter Adriano was reportedly upset with coach Carlos Alberto Parreira benching him for a 4-1 first-round win over Japan.
“It was no better or worse with Robinho,” Ronaldo said, dismissing the notion he favored his club partner. “Everybody is in the same boat, those who play will give everything and those who don’t will wait for their chance.
“The squad is in good shape. We are united and confident that we can go the whole way. Every one of us is ready to make sacrifices to win the World Cup.”
Ronaldo, nagged at 29 by weight and fitness issues, scored twice against Japan and could break the all-time World Cup scoring mark he shares with Germany’s Gerd Muller by notching his 15th goal against Ghana.
His top concern, however, is advancing Brazil to the last eight.
“I’m not obsessed being the leading scorer at the World Cup or breaking records,” Ronaldo said. “My target is to win the World Cup and if I score goals all the better.
“I am of course delighted to have equalled the record of 14 goals and if I take it to a new level, I will be even happier.
“But the objective remains as it always has been – to win the World Cup.”
Former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah, Ghana’s captain, is not awestruck by a Brazil lineup that also includes two-time World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho and stars Roberto Carlos and Kaka.
“We’re happy we’re going to face Brazil. No fear. No fear,” Appiah said. “We play the same style too. That’s why we have a chance against them.”
Parreira, who coached Ghana earlier in his career, said the Black Stars will be dangerous even without Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, suspended after two first-round yellow cards.
“There may be no Michael Essien but there is Stephen Appiah,” Parreira said.
“They are good and they have nothing to lose. They are playing against the five-time world champions and one of the favourites for this title.
“They will shoot on sight. They will be aggressive and we have to work out how to pass the ball around under those circumstances.”
That’s why Robinho’s possible absence is a concern.
“We don’t know whether it is simply a bruise which would be good news or in the worst case scenario if it is a strained muscle, in which case he would have to undergo treatment,” Brazil team doctor Jose Luis Runco said.
That leaves Inter Milan’s Adriano, who Parreira said has not sulked over Robinho’s start against Japan.
“I don’t find that he is depressed,” Parreira said. “Adriano has trained well and in any case there is no reason to be depressed because you have not played in one match.”
Parreira, 63, could join 1934 and 1938 Italian manager Vittorio Pozzo as the only mentors to coach multiple Cup winners after guiding Brazil’s 1994 championship.
Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic, a 60-year-old Serbian, reminds his side that the millionaire Brazilians pull on their shorts one leg at a time as well.
“It’s always tough in the World Cup against strong teams, especially for debutantes,” Dujkovic said. “I say just to treat them like any other team. I’m always telling them it’s 11-on-11 and the ball is in the middle.
“It’s very difficult to stop all the stars from Brazil. We have to prepare a strategy to stop them and how to score some goals.
“I’m sure the Brazilians must suffer if they are going to win.”
The South Americans often impose some suffering of their own, posing a formidable test of the discipline Dujkovic emphasizes.
“They are dangerous tactically so we must put pressure on them so they don’t do anything dangerous,” Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan.
Source:Soccer News
Related posts:
- Stars on target as Brazil thrash New Zealand 4-0
- Appiah says Black Stars ready to die for World Cup dream
- Ronaldinho prepared to sacrifice solo skills for Brazil
- Brazil enjoy shooting practice in Switzerland
- Even without Essien, Ghana ready to make Brazil suffer
- Priority is beating Ghana not the record says Ronaldo
- Solid Italy outshine Black Stars
- Confident Ghana look for quick start against Brazil
- Ronaldo-inspired Brazil eliminated Japan with a 4-1 win
- Brazil through after gritty Aussies give them a run for their money