Pierre Boisrond has followed soccer and the World Cup
closely for many years and also writes for other websites. We at PWC are proud to have him as
a columnist. He will share his views about the past, present and future of
the World Cup.
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World Cup 2002 without Brazil?
When one talks about the World Cup, immediately Brazil comes to mind since
the auriverde has participated in every World Cup. Over the years that I
have followed Brazil, I've never seen a Brazilian national team in such
disarray. The world is in danger of not seeing Brazil in the 2002 World
Cup in Japan-Korea. The Brazilian team is facing many difficulties in the
South American Qualifiers. It's not that Brazil does not have players to
dance the Samba on the field; the issue is that the coach has his own
philosophy.
Emerson Leao, the Brazilian national coach, has decided to
bring the young Brazilian players to replace some of the veterans like
Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Rivaldo. Emerson has seen many great players such as
Rivelino, Zico, Junior etc. He was goalkeeper for Brazil in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups,
and he had seen the caliber of the Brazilian players that were playing
during those times. I do believe that Leao must have seen the 1982
Brazilian team of Tele Santana with superstars such as Zico, Socrates,
Junior, Falcao and Eder.
In Brazil, who can replace Roberto Carlos? Who can replace Cafu? Who can
replace Rivaldo? These players are the key for the Brazilian team's success. They
know what it takes to get the job done. Players do have good times and bad
times on the pitch, but that does not mean because the players play a bad
game, then the whole team needs to be restructured. Leao is under constant
pressure; being the Brazilian national team coach is not an easy task since
everyone expects Brazil to win. But to win, Brazil must align its best
players, not some scratch players. It's time to bring the samba back on the
field. If not, Brazil might not make it to the World Cup.
The advantage of Brazil is that their players are technicians on the field and they can
make things happen. But, to qualify to the World Cup, Leao cannot only rely
on Romario to get the job done. The coach must bring the supporting cast to
feed Romario and the other attackers up front. Perhaps Ronaldo will get
the call, but still Brazil needs its best players. It's time for Leao to wake up and
call the best Brazilian players abroad: Elber, Rivaldo, Cafu, Roberto
Carlos, Denilson, etc.
As Dr. Socrates said: "The only team that Brazil is
better than now is Venezuela in the South America." Although I do not agree
with Socrates, one thing that Brazilian Football Federation needs to do
is to stop changing the coach after having a few bad results. This sort of
childish atmosphere by removing a coach after one or two bad results needs
to be stopped. Bringing a new coach means that the players will need to
adapt to a new set of philosophy. No coach can prepare a World Cup team
overnight. I hope that Leao will continue as coach-if not, the situation can
become very delicate for the Brazilians.
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