Kolkata: Brazil head coach of the U-17 team Carlos Amadeu said here Saturday that a ‘world classic’ is on the cards as the three-time former champions take on Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals here Sunday.
“Brazil against Germany is always a world classic – all ages, be it in senior or at the under-15 level. Whenever both teams play against each other it’s always a world class affair,” Amadeu said of their great rivalry.
“Both teams always try to play aggressive, not sitting back. Both teams try to score. It’s a win-win situation, both for players, crowd, media and all the professionals who are attached to football. The key is to win because if we don’t you go out,” the coach added.
Amadeu took charge of the Brazil U-17 side in May 2015, in the lead-up to the U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he steered the team to the last eight before being knocked out by eventual champions Nigeria.
Amadeu also informed that the team have been preparing hard for penalty shootouts for more than two years. “They have to be prepared for the situation if it’s a (regulation time) draw. We are training for this moment since 2015. We have two-and-half-years of work with these guys,” he informed.
“In the end, one thing you cannot control is the result. So I tell them to go out and enjoy every moment on the pitch. You can change your style of play but result is something nobody cannot control,” Amadeu added.
Meanwhile motivated by the messages they received from stars back home, Brazil’s versatile footballer Paulinho said that it’s time to replicate what their predecessors have done in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
“We are working with this goal to be the champions. We are working since 2015, it’s really important for us,” the No. 7, who has scored two goals and made two assists so far, said.
Brazil’s campaign has got a big boost with video messages coming from Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson Moraes among others.
“It’s just positive thing for us to receive messages. They have been in such situations, played here. Some have won and some could not. Now it’s our turn to become champions,” Paulinho asserted.
Press Trust of India
