Championship candidate Brazil is unchallengeable!
Will the new European power, Norway, pass through in second place?
Championship candidate Brazil and Europe's strongest new power, Norway, battle after both have finished their matches against Scotland and Morocco. According to Brazilian Coach ZAGALLO, Brazil is very lucky to be able to win its way through Group A before it has to play Norway, which it lost to 4-2 in Oslo, Norway last May 30th. While keeping an eye on development in Group B, where the ever capricious Italy will be playing, the Brazilians will use the preliminary matches to polish their strategy for the championship tournament.
For Brazil, Scotland is a real jinx. Since the 1974 World Cup, Brazil has been paired with Scotland every other World Cup and each time has defeated the Scots soundly in the preliminaries, but then lost every time in the next round. This is another reason why Brazil does not want to meet the dangerous Italians in its first match of the championship tournament. This is grounds for worry for the Brazilians, who appear to have no blind spots. ZAGALLO has three backs with Cafu and R. Carlos as the two sides for the middle and is thinking of three DFs including Boronji Dunga with the CB combination of Aldair and J. Baiano. Adding in the goalkeeper, this defensive strength is certainly not completely solid. Currently, Brazil is covering for this and screening its weak point with its surplus of offensive power.
Norway features a lineup of talented athletes with the right tool for the right job and under the leadership of Coach Olsen are also a leader in technique and will be a difficult team to beat even for Brazil in good condition. However, while the Norwegians have a solid reputation for their stable last line and aggressive defense, they lag behind the Brazilians in goal scoring power. Therefore, even if the Brazilians do not solidly defeat the Norwegians in their match with each other, they should be able to hold onto the top spot based on the goals scored for-against difference. In order to hold onto leadership in this group, the Brazilians want to pour in the goals in their first two matches before they reach their match with Norway. Furthermore, the Brazilians want a scenario in which Italy wins through Group B in first place and they can advance to the Best four without playing either Italy or France. There is no way for Brazil to lose in this scenario. However, anything can happen, and there is no doubt that as the day of reckoning approaches, ZAGALLO's stomach will be hurting him more and more. |
