More hope to the world!

It was a pleasure to read what Mr. McMahon from Fox Sports had to say about Brazil’s chances this year. He listed 10 reasons why Brazil won’t win this World Cup. Celebrate, rest of the world! Grab these 10 reasons with your fingernails and cross your fingers at the same time! Make an effort to believe that Brazil won’t win, while Bobby McMahon admits that even he is not convinced yet.

Well, let me analyze these reasons from a Brazilian point of view:

1. Brazil does not win when the expectations back home are too high
Absolutely true. Zico’s Selection was a big example of that. His team was one of the strongest in all history of WC football, but they lost in 82 and 86. At the same time you can also consider that ‘expectations back home’ are always too high. Here at Brazil to be the second in any WC is to be a major loser. If we have the greatest talents in the world, not to bring the Cup is absolutely shameful to us. The French Cup (98) was like a car accident, totally unpredictable, nobody to be blamed there, but the players were ignored after France won that match. So if Brazil don’t win when expectations are high back home, we wouldn’t have any titles at all.

2. The goalkeeping is suspect
I disagree one hundred percent on this one. From what I can remember we have a trustworthy tradition when it comes to goalkeepers. I remember Carlos in 1986 defending like a monster, even penalties. His bad luck against France was like a Tyson punch in my face. Taffarel was an alien from another dimension. Dida and Marcos are better than any Seaman any day of the century. Now if Dida is not so good we still have Julio Cesar and Rogerio Ceni. Parreira likes Marcos (he’s good) but I’m still hoping for Rogerio Ceni. I don’t know any Brazilian worried about the goalkeeper position.

3. The full backs are over-the-hill
Cafu and Roberto Carlos are ineffective? So many people talk about this nowadays, but the facts say otherwise. Why would Roberto Carlos be a starter at Real Madrid, one of the greatest teams in the world if he was not to be trusted with his talent and experience? If Cafu was inefficient in his position would you think he would be in AC Milan today? As we say here in Brazil “Panela velha é que faz comida boa” (old pans are the ones that cook good food). After saying that, Cicinho is the young blood we need to blow anybody’s midfield. He is good here, there and everywhere, like in a Lennon McCartney song.

4. Roque Junior
Well… we must give the world a chance, right? He didn’t harm us at the Confederations Cup last year, so maybe he won’t be in our way this year either. My fingers are crossed.

5. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has too many stars to choose from
Oh, I like this one. To have so many talents is a big disadvantage this year! Anyway, Mr. Bobby McMahon can see into our souls and that’s really one big danger. The EGO factor may be a problem in this WC, but I don’t believe this will be a big issue. Our #1 player is Ronaldinho, the humble. His joyful football smile will erase these matters from their minds.

6. Emerson isn’t the force he was
Yawn! How many midfielders do we have? Remember Kaka and Julio Baptista? Any Brazilians worried about this?

7. Robinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho
Our forwards powerhouse is in danger this year. Robinho didn’t find his best football yet, Ronaldo met some hard criticism in Real Madrid and Adriano is not scoring as much as he should be in Inter Milan. It’s very easy to find failure among our players. Let me hear your complaints about Beckham, Zidane, Recoba, Larsson and the like. All I can say is this: there is still much time until the WC begins. Ronaldo and Adriano are scoring again… Robinho is not a starter but he is in the right place to learn the tricks of the trade.

8. Played in Europe
Only Europeans can win in Europe. Are you sure? Well, at least one South American team had the last laugh in European soil (Brazil, naturally). I know Bobby recognizes our victory in 1958 over Swedish home team, but in recent football history we are ready to learn that Brazil and Argentina are capable of winning over European soil. Not only you can find Brazilian fans all over the planet, but at the Confederations Cup final game we saw Brazil vs. Argentina. I’ll not comment we won 4:1… that wouldn’t be polite.

9. The Ghost of 1994
I loved to see our Selection reaching the final match at 1994, but I agree that those players were doing a German job, playing a safe and defensive game while our nation was hoping to see more flare and attack power in its ranks. Parreira will use the magic quartet this year. Non Brazilian people pray he will not use the quintet!

10. Tournament format
Well… I love this format. Trinidad & Tobago could win, anybody can win…we can lose… Good luck to you all!!! Good luck to Brazil!!!

Mr Bobby McMahon is still trying to convince himself that other nations have a chance in the German World Cup. His motives are true and we know that no game is decided before the final whistle, so let’s not jump to conclusions here. This year we know that 31 teams are against Brazil and we Brazilians must keep our fingers crossed. Thank you Bobby, for the kind response to my message. Keep your fingers crossed for Scotland! … not in the tournament? Canada? Nope? Well, Brazil have opened arms for ’soccer’ fans like you.