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FBL-WC-2018 WRAP
Germany and Brazil roll into the World Cup
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, June 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Brazil star Neymar will
make his World Cup bow on Sunday as the five-time champions kick off quest
for redemption while holders Germany launch their bid for back-to-back
titles.
Four years after injury cut short his World Cup, before Brazil suffered
a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, Neymar is once again
spearheading his country’s hopes.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s participation at the finals in Russia
had been cast into doubt after he suffered a fractured right foot in late
February.
However the 26-year-old forward has shown little signs of rust since
returning for Brazil, scoring in consecutive friendlies on the eve of the
finals.
That could spell trouble for Switzerland as they take on Brazil in Group
E on Sunday.
Brazil coach Tite, who masterminded a dominant qualifying campaign which
saw the “Selecao” finish 10 points clear of their rivals, said Neymar was
“not 100 percent”.
“But he has exceptional physical qualities, his speed in particular. In
any case, he is in a suitable state to play,” Tite said.
Neymar is the focal point of one of the most menacing attacks in the
tournament, and could line up in a front four which includes Gabriel Jesus,
Philippe Coutinho and Willian.
Switzerland meanwhile have regularly shown they are capable of punching
above their weight, having only narrowly missed out on automatic
qualification to Russia on goal difference behind Portugal.
Since securing their place via the playoffs, they have held Spain to a 1-
1 draw and thrashed World Cup debutants Panama 6-0 in friendlies.
The Swiss also have pedigree in opening World Cup games, beating
eventual champions Spain in their opener of the 2010 World Cup.
Brazil meet Switzerland in the newly-built 45,000 Rostov Arena in
Sunday’s evening game but before that Germany play Mexico in a mouth-watering
tie in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
– Chasing history –
Germany breezed through qualifying scoring 43 goals and conceding just
four and, astonishingly, average almost four goals a game in their opening
World Cup matches since last losing their first tournament game in 1982
against Algeria.
Coach Joachim Loew has, like the Brazilians, transformed the team from
2014 to the extent that the man who scored the World Cup winning goal in Rio,
Mario Goetze, is not in the squad.
A young German side last year won the Confederations Cup in Russia,
thumping Mexico 4-1 along the way.
Mexico though only lost one game in qualifying and have always qualified
for at least the second round of every World Cup they have played. They have
not beaten Germany though in three attempts at various World cups.
Germany are attempting to become only the third side in the World Cup’s
88-year history to successfully defend their title, after Italy (1934-1938)
and Brazil (1958-1962).
The magnitude of that task is not lost on Loew.
“It’s the most difficult feat and history has demonstrated that, no
one in 60 years has done it,” Loew said on Saturday.
“Teams develop and change, players finish their careers and you must
bring in new players which makes it the most difficult achievement.”
Sunday’s first game sees the 2014 World Cup’s most surprising team Costa
Rica take on Serbia in Samara.
The Central Americans topped a group including Uruguay, Italy and
England last time to reach the quarter-finals, and this time are in Brazil’s
group.
Their pedigree may be good but their form is not and they have lost to
Belgium and England in the run-up to Russia.
For Serbia, this year’s tournament marks their first World Cup
appearance since 2010 and are in good spirits having warmed up with a 5-1 win
over Bolivia.
BSS/AFP/AKM 0840hrs