18-Sep-2001
Diego and Leandro team up for Brazil
Despite not playing much in Brazil’s first two matches, attacking midfielder Diego nevertheless has managed to make a strong impression at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Trinidad & Tobago 2001 presented by JVC.
The 16-year-old Diego, one of the youngest players in the Brazilian squad, saw just five minutes of action against Australia in the South Americans’ 1-0 victory on 14 September. Diego then came on after the break in the 3-1 victory over Croatia on 16 September.
In both appearances, he injected energy and flair into the Brazilian attack, and though he may not have seen his name on the score-sheet, he earned many admirers among the Trinidadian fans in attendance - quite an accomplishment, considering that the Brazilian attack was quite colorful to begin with.
The opportunistic Diego certainly has seized the chance to make a strong impression despite limited time on the pitch.
“I try to make the best of the time I’m given,” said Diego, one of two members of the Brazil squad playing their club ball at Santos, the legendary club where Pele made his name. “The decision of who plays is up to the coaching staff. I’m never content to sit on the bench, but it’s all up to them, and I have to respect their decisions.”
Brazil coach Sergio Farias applauds his midfielder’s efforts.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of talented players on our bench, and Diego certainly is one of them. As we have seen (in the first two matches), he is an excellent dribbler, and can really take the ball and run with it.”
Diego agreed with his coach’s analysis. “I am very individualistic when it comes to my style. I like to take the ball straight at the goal.”
Teaming up with Diego to score the winner against Croatia was Leandro, who received a fine pass from his midfield partner at the edge of the area and then sent a perfectly-placed shot into the top right corner of the Croatian goal.
“It was a great goal,” Leandro beamed. “Diego won the ball back from a defender and then switched it over to me, and then I finished from there.”
Leandro, highly touted coming into the FIFA U-17 World Championship, has confirmed his place among the top midfielders in the tournament.
However, he displayed humility in describing his performance, while also distinguishing himself as a quintessential team player.
“In the last match I did win JVC Best Player of the Match (as selected by FIFA), and I had another good game this time, but I didn’t feel that I played my best. The crucial thing is that we won both matches. To me, it doesn’t matter who wins the award, it’s that we get the result.”
The result against Croatia earned Brazil a place in the quarterfinals, and took them a giant step closer to the Group A title.
“It definitely is a relief to have won those first two games,” Leandro said. “They both were really tough matches. Now it’s on to the third game against Trinidad & Tobago, and we’ll be looking for another good performance and to finish at the top of the group.
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Leandro plays in Ajax