[Alexx]

The first statisitic he pulled out of his sleeve was the number of losses Brazil has suffered since Luxemburgo assumed command. “The critics have been harsh, but what people seem to forget is that we have only lost three games in the last two years” – Candinho said, refering to the defeats at the hands of Argentina, Mexico and South Korea.

Candinho’s ammunition does stop with just this fact: “Taking all the games played by the Olympic selection we have 45 victories, 12 draws and only three defeats. We have scored 132 goals and let in only 39, leaving a positive balance of 93.”

However, the press at the interview were not satisfied with just these numbers and wanted to know why Brazil was so far behind Argentina. Candinho was quick to reply. “You have to be careful when you launch into this sort of criticism. Argentina did not perform this well in 1993 and struggled just to classify. They ended up in the play offs for a place in the Cup and only qualified after drawing with Australia. Argentina only won 50% of the games they played in 1997.”

Without further a do, Candinho risked a prediction. “Argentina will not win all their 18 qualifying games. Even with the line up that they have they are going to drop one or two. It is true that they are way up front, but it is important to remember that they have played two of the weaker teams in the division, Bolivia and Venezuela”

 

[Ze da Fiel]

the line that says it all

we have only lost three games in the last two years”

imagine when we play good, what will happen?

 

[falcao]

i agree, 3 losses in two years is marvelous! and we have to remember when the three losses came:

1. 2-0 to argentina in argentina in a friendly. argentina played a great game, but brazil quickly made things right by winning 4-2 a few days later. and brazil played MAGNIFICENT football and embarassed argentina. if not for a few mental lapses while celebrating, brazil would have won 4-0.

2. 4-3 or 4-2 to mexico. (i don't remember.) this was actually a very good result for brazil, even though it was a loss. it was the first tournament (confederations cup) with ronaldinho guacho leading the team. he was wonderful, and the tournament included 4-0 over full-strength germany and 8-2 rout of saudi arabia. also, this was the under-23 of brazil against the full national teams of all the other countries. and it was played IN mexico at high altitude. brazil did very well, falling behind 2-0 and then coming back. altitude caused the first mexico goal, when the ball went over dida's head.

3. 1-0 to south korea. brazil had to travel about 20 hours to play this game, got off the plane and went to the stadium. they were sleeping. plus, they handed the game over as a goodwill gesture.

all of these losses have come to the road, to the host nation, after brazil had to travel under bad conditions.

luxemburgo is doing a great job, but it could be even greater! brazil, with the system and coach in place for 2 years, and all the best players in the world, should be winning every game 3-0 or 5-1.

argentina? they should be worried. they should win all the games they can while they can, because brazil will not continue to struggle. brazil is coming for the top spot in wc2002 qualifying.

 

[Ze da Fiel]

falcao,
good to see that your finally putting some good confident posts
please let me correct you..the Argentina game in Brazil should have been 7x0...we scored 7 goals but hte ref only aloowed 4! Rivaldo scored 4 and Ronaldo scored 3......but he dissaloud 1 Rivaldo goal and 2 Ronaldo goals..which we LEGAL!
That's the sort of treatment I excpect from our players when we play the "Los Hermanos"!

 

[Guest]

didnt ronaldinho gaucho score a hat trick against argentina in that second game.

 

[Ze da Fiel]

he scored a hat trick in the pre-olympic , which only U23 players were allowed to be fielded

 

[falcao]

when you think of the record luxemburgo has, it really is crazy that his job is under pressure. 45 games and only 3 losses! also: he won copa america (beating argentina and uruguay), he went to the confed cup final with an under-23 team, and he easily won the under-23 olympic qualifying. that is a remarkable record.

i really wish the cbf and nike would LEAVE HIM ALONE so he could pick the right team! if he didn't have all this stupid pressure on him, he could win every game and return brazil to the style we all want to see.

yes, ze da fiel, i know many of my recent messages have been negative. but that is only because i have very, very high standards for brazil.

 

[Ze da Fiel]

falcao,
Every brazilian manager will have the highest pressure under him, whether he wins or loses, its just part of the job. If he loses he is an idiot, and if he wins by 6 goals he just made what he was suppose to do...its always been like that and it will always continue to be!

 

[falcao]

Yes, and that's the way it should be! Brazil should win all the time.