Parreira: Psychology key for Brazil in 2014
Reuters - Tuesday 24 August 2010, 17:19
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil will need to
prepare psychologically for the huge pressure they will face as
World Cup hosts in 2014, when a second failure on home soil is
simply not an option, former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said.
Parreira, who steered Brazil to their fourth world title in
1994 after a 24-year drought, felt the weight of expectation
himself and told Reuters it would be worse in four years' time.
The 67-year-old knows the size of the task facing Brazil,
who were shocked by Uruguay in the deciding match of their
previous home finals in 1950.
"We'll be coming from two defeats in the 2006 and 2010 Cups
and you can be sure the pressure will be very big on the
national team. It will be a huge responsibility," Parreira said
in an interview.
"We've already lost one World Cup at home and we can't lose
a second one at home, we can't allow that to happen," said
Parreira, who is in line to take on a role in new coach Mano
Menezes's technical staff.
"That's going to put gigantic pressure (on the players) and,
as well as technical preparation, we'll have to have a very big
psychological preparation."
Such concern has already been voiced by Menezes, who said
after his appointment as Dunga's successor last month that he
plans to have a psychologist working alongside him.
Parreira added the buildup to 2014 would be harder with
Brazil going through a radical renewal of the team and knowing
that by then they will have gone 12 years without winning the
title.
"After two failures a renewal is almost mandatory for the
coach. A new cycle always opens when you lose," said Parreira,
who is resting at home after coaching South Africa at their
World Cup.
NEW HOPES
Parreira, in charge again when Brazil lost their 2006
quarter-final to France in Germany, was encouraged by Menezes's
debut in a friendly against United States in New Jersey last
month which Brazil won 2-0.
With youngsters like Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso and
Alexandre Pato, the team played the attacking football fans and
media demanded of Dunga's side that lost to Netherlands in this
year's quarter-finals.
"I liked the new faces, the new players. We don't lack
quality. Brazil is the best country for a renewal.
"Now we have to give those lads a run-in and experience
before the Cup," Parreira said, adding there was room for 2010
World Cup players like Kaka, Robinho, Daniel Alves, Ramires and
Thiago Silva.
Another problem will be the lack of competitive matches for
Brazil who, as World Cup hosts, will not take part in the South
American qualifiers.
Despite difficulties like taking the team to high altitude
venues in Bolivia and Ecuador and bringing a large majority of
squad members all the way back from Europe, Parreira said the
marathon qualifying campaign was essential for team building.
"At first I was against the qualifiers because of the
difficulties and toll they took. Later I changed my mind and
realised they were essential," he said.
Without the qualifiers, the Brazilian Football Confederation
(CBF) will have to take full advantage of opportunities like the
Copa America in Argentina next year and the Confederations Cup
in Brazil in 2013, he said.
"The CBF will have to prepare a good list of friendlies with
strong opponents until 2014. It's important to play more
(matches) in Brazil and for that the CBF will have to work hard
and negotiate a lot. They have to already feel the climate."
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