Brazil desperate to make mark in World Cup opener

TodayOpening Ceremony - 8:15pm SS3 Group ABrazil vs Croatia - 8:45pm SS3 Friday Group AMexico vs Cameroon - 6pm Group BSpain vs Netherlands - 10pmChile vs Australia - 0:10am SAO PAOLO – Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday’s World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year’s Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up. The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters. “I have always said that if you don’t feel anxiety it is not worth being a professional athlete. The opening game is difficult, important,” said Alves. “The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game.” The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea teammate Willian pushing for a starting berth. But Scolari, who masterminded Brazil’s last World Cup win in 2002, is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested winning formula against 18th-ranked Croatia after the same 11 edged past Serbia 1-0 in a friendly last week, courtesy of a goal from Fred. Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic because of a red card he picked up in a match against Iceland in November. But they also boast Real Madrid’s Luka Modric in their line-up, who said the key to the game would be the midfield battle, admitting the task of taking on Brazil in their own backyard was daunting. “Virtually every game is decided in the midfield. In most situations the winner is the team that has the better midfield,” said Modric. “I hope that we can show our qualities and can beat Brazil. But this will of course be very difficult.” *** History of Fifa World Cup Founded 1930 RegionInternational (FIFA) Number of teams 204 (qualifiers)32 (finals) Current champions Spain (1st title) Most successful team(s) Brazil (5 titles) *** WORLD CUP GROUPS Group ABrazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon Group BSpain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia Group CColombia, Greece, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan Group DUruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy Group ESwitzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras Group FArgentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria Group GGermany, Portugal, Ghana, USA Group HBelgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

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Brazil desperate to make mark in World Cup opener