14 Thursday, June 10, 2021 Sports Winning Copa America would be ideal for Brazil ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022: Cafu

SC.qa eration of players so special? Qatar has dedicated themselves Can Brazil reach those heights to ensuring this is an amazing razilian great Cafu knows again? tournament. I know they are more than just a thing or What made the Brazilian team of excited to welcome fans from all Btwo about FIFA World Cups. 1990s unforgettable is not only over the world in 2022 and that The only player to have played winning titles but the way that everyone will be welcome for three in a row, winning two of Brazil won titles. From 1990 to what I think will be a global cel- them, the last as captain in 2006 the Brazilian team won al- ebration of our beautiful game. 2002, he also led Brazil, to their most every competition it played record fifth World Cup triumph. in, including Copa América, Qatar 2022 will be the most The most capped male footballer Confederations Cup and the compact World Cup ever. for Brazil speaks his mind ahead World Cup. Brazil created a very What impact will this have on of Copa America and the current strong identity during this time players and fans? Brazilian team looking forward in the minds of the fans, other At Qatar 2022 you will have an to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. players, the press, the critics. I entire World Cup compacted think this identity of playing the into a small area. You will have Excerpts Brazilian way is also what made all the venues, fan zones and this team special. During that facilities in one place with just a Can you tell us about some of time everyone had the desire short distance to travel between your favourite memories from and belief to try and win every any two venues. For example, Copa América? Are there any game the Brazil way. This made the longest distance between moments that stand out? us very difficult to beat. stadiums is just 75km so fans During my career I had the Of course, I think Brazil can will be able to watch two or privilege of playing for Brazil at reach these heights again. maybe even three live games the Copa America four times Brazil will always be a very in a single day. This is fantastic winning it in both ‘97 and ‘99. competitive team on the world as fans will get to watch more The Copa América experience is stage because as a country we football than ever before at the always amazing for a player as love football and always pro- World Cup. You can have a fixed playing for your country at this duce talented players. What the base for 45 days and you won’t tournament is a special mo- current Brazil team need is a have to change locations. This ment in any career. It is always long streak of great games and is wonderful for the fans, but an extremely competitive com- great results and I think this Brazilian football legend Cafu during his visit to one of the FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums in Qatar. it is also great for the players. petition with the best players in will lead to great achievements With less travel the players the world. A lot of people don’t once again. World Cup in Qatar. himself as the next revelation in When you look at the South ence of the country during this won’t be as tired as they can view the Copa América as being the football world. So, of course American teams and the World tournament was wonderful as get more rest between games as important as winning the How do you rate the current What other teams do you we all hope that this Copa Cup qualifying groups it is I had the opportunity to watch which should hopefully result World Cup, but when it starts, crop of Brazilian players? Do fear most in this year’s Copa América can reveal more great definitely one of the most com- great games and see great in better performances on the nobody wants to lose. you think Brazil can challenge América? talents, great talents like Ron- petitive regions in the world. We teams in the stands as a fan. pitch and less injuries. Obviously winning the competi- for the Copa América title this At Copa América, all of the aldinho, who announced himself have eight teams that are fully Watching football in Qatar’s new During my trip to Qatar earlier tion on two occasions with year? teams are fearsome such as in one of the Copa Americas I capable of going to Qatar and state of the art stadiums is the this year I had the opportu- Brazil is my favourite memory Looking at the current crop of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, participated in. Today, it’s too winning the World Cup in 2022. stuff of dreams for someone nity to travel across Doha on of Copa but If I had to pick one Brazilian players I think it is a Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ec- early to talk about revelations Of course, the European teams that loves football. Everything a motorbike with a local mo- standout moment from a game good squad with impressive uador. They are teams that have and great players because this will also be strong, but I think has been considered to make torcycle group. I love riding my it would probably be Ronald- individual and technical quality. already won the Copa América will be an extremely competitive that all of the South American the fan experience as positive motorbike in Brazil, so this was inho’s goal against Venezuela Without a shadow of a doubt and believe they can do it again. Copa América, so I think it will teams that go to the World as possible. an incredible experience for on his debut for Brazil. I passed this team can fight to win this They are teams that will show take a mix of both the young Cup will have a great chance of Qatar had changed a lot since me. We travelled the longest the pass to him at the edge of year’s Copa América. I think they up with their full strength to and experienced to shine for winning the tournament if the my last visit before the pan- distance possible between two the box and flicked the ball past are the team that everyone has fight for the trophy and believe any given team to win at this conditions are right and every- demic. Every year the country World Cup stadiums – from Al two defenders with some great to beat at this year’s tourna- they can win just like the Brazil- year’s tournament. Let’s hope thing falls into place for them. progresses at such a fast rate Janoub to Al Bayt – taking in all skill to score a beautiful goal. ment. Everybody always wants ian team, so I think you must for a great tournament and one that it is like visiting a new city the beautiful sights along the It was just the first of many to beat the Brazilian team, but I fear all these great opponents. where we uncover a few more You visited Qatar earlier this or country. The infrastructure way. The journey took us just beautiful goals that he would think that if these boys combine stars for the future and players year for the FIFA Club World is now 95% complete so they over one hour in total which score for Brazil and something their talents and put in strong Are there any young players that could go on to have a major Cup. Can you tell us a bit about are almost ready for next year’s really highlighted to me just how he did regularly throughout his team performances, then surely that you are excited to watch impact at the 2022. what your experience? Were World Cup that I believe will be compact this World Cup will be. brilliant career. Brazil will have a great result at this year’s Copa América? you impressed by the progress one of the greatest in history. I All the fans and everyone in at Copa América. Winning the One of the most exciting things How much of an impact do in Qatar? think it is going to be incredible Qatar for the World Cup will be The Brazil national team during tournament would be the perfect about international tournaments you think the South American I had the opportunity to visit and people will want to be there part of the action from start to the 90s was full of incredible way to prepare and build confi- is that almost every time at teams can have at the FIFA Qatar earlier this year for the to experience it. finish and it should help create talent. What made that gen- dence ahead of next year’s FIFA least one player announces World Cup Qatar 2022? FIFA Club World Cup. My experi- I am very impressed by the way a special atmosphere.

Paraguay 0-2 Brazil: Selecao Loew wants team that gives ‘everything preserve perfect record for Germany’ in his last dance DPA their previous games in which Berlin the Paris Saint-Germain for- ward had scored in World Cup what to expect once it is all over. Brazil made it six wins from qualifiers. Joachim Loew is about to “Maybe there will be a six games in World Cup quali- A ferocious long-range write his last chapter as certain emptiness. After tour- fying after Neymar’s goal and strike from Paraguay defender Germany coach at the naments there was always an Lucas Paqueta’s late strike se- Omar Alderete almost restored Euro 2020, and he tells emptiness. But if you want cured a 2-0 win over Paraguay. parity four minutes later but dpa he will be happy to to develop new goals again, Neymar broke the dead- Brazil goalkeeper Ederson was say goodbye if his team you have to allow emptiness. lock in the fourth minute be- forced into a stunning save. gives everything for the That’s where new thoughts fore substitute Paqueta com- Richarlison, who almost come from,” Loew said. pleted the scoring in the third added a second goal in the country in this last However, the coach minute of stoppage time as 12th minute, put the ball in the tournament before Hansi doesn’t hide he’s also “looking Brazil preserved their 100 per back of the net with a brilliant Flick takes over. forward” to his new journey cent record in CONMEBOL half-volley in the second min- after the tournament “I can qualifying on Tuesday. ute of stoppage time but it was DPA devote myself to other things A 67th international goal ruled out for offside. Herzogenaurach (Germany) in my life.” The national team for Neymar - only 10 adrift of The tempo dropped in the is meanwhile in the best possi- all-time record holder Pele - second half however Marquin- Germany coach Joachim ble hands under Flick who was helped send Brazil six points hos went close to doubling Loew is out for maximum possi- his assistant 2006-2014 and is clear of rivals Argentina atop Brazil’s lead, with his header ble success at Euro 2020 before coming off seven titles while in the standings on the road to sailing just wide of the post in handing over the reins to his for- charge of Bayern Munich. Qatar 2022. the 55th minute. mer assistant Hansi Flick. “I know how Hansi works Brazil entered the con- Richarlison was in the Loew told dpa ahead of the and how he thinks. He’s em- test away to Paraguay amid thick of the action with 20 June 11-July 11 tournament he pathetic, he knows how to ap- continued uncertainty over minutes remaining following a believes Flick is the right man proach to the players through the scheduled Copa America dazzling run into the box how- to take over as he steps down communication,” Loew said and their participation, with ever he was thwarted by Para- after 15 years in charge. Germany’s coach Joachim Loew (C) stands next to Germany’s defender Antonio Ruediger (R) during the about his former assistant. the Selecao squad united in guay, but Paqueta struck in The Sueddeutsche Zei- friendly football match against Latvia in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday, in preparation for the UEFA The departing coach sees their opposition of hosting the 93rd minute to make sure tung said on Wednesday that European Championships. (AFP) Flick as “the future” at the na- the showpiece tournament on of the points. After extending Loew’s term will be measured tional team and that with him home soil. On the field, Tite’s their winning streak to seven on his swansong, despite win- Macedonia in the past months. ‘Hey, this team is giving every- of fans as 14,000 are to be al- Germany will “continue to Brazil impressed and quickly matches, Brazil’s attention ning the 2014 World Cup and Loew and the team want thing for Germany’ - then that lowed in per game. play technically good football, stamped their authority on the will now shift to the scheduled reaching the semi-finals at the to avoid similar mishaps at all would give me a lot of satisfac- “We’ve had games behind and not return to the roots match thanks to star Neymar Copa America. It remains to be last three Euros and the 2010 costs despite a tough group tion,” Loew told dpa. closed doors long enough. It’s that stood above everything in Asuncion. seen whether Tite’s men will World Cup, plus winning the featuring world champions Loew recognized that mis- been really tough. The fact else years ago.” Neymar put Brazil ahead take part, with the event set title at the 2017 Confedera- France, title holders Portugal takes happened, but added: that spectators will be in Mu- “Fighting and commit- with a simple side-footed fin- to start on Sunday. Amid their tions Cup. and Hungary. “We can focus on how we can nich for our games against ment were the only German ish in the fourth minute after winning run, the Selecao - who The main blemish is the “It’s hard for me to pin it do things better. We have a France, Portugal and Hungary virtues. But playing culture Richarlison scuppered his at- have not lost since their 1-0 shocking group stage exit at down to quarter-finals, semi- good team that can achieve is of course great,” Loew said. is the present and, above all, tempt to volley Gabriel Jesus’ friendly defeat to Argentina in the 2018 World Cup, plus a finals or final. Of course we a lot.” Germany will play all Whether he makes it to the the future. And that’s exactly cross. It was a good omen for 2019 - have only conceded two 6-0 humiliation against Spain want to go all the way. But if group games in Munich, with Wembley final or not remains to what Hansi Flick stands for,” Brazil, with the Copa America goals, keeping six clean sheets and 2-1 defeat against North everyone in the country feels: Loew welcoming the return be seen but Loew has an idea of Loew said. champions winning all eight of in the process.

Quick read Spain Euros preparations further hit as Llorente tests positive Colombia 2-2 Argentina: Albiceleste blow two-goal lead

Berlin: Diego Llorente has become the second Spain player to test positive for Covid-19, less than Berlin: Miguel Borja scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Colombia came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Argentina one week out from their Euro 2020 opener. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Colombia substitute Borja produced a bullet header in the 94th minute to pinch a share of the spoils news on Tuesday following the latest PCR tests within the squad. after Argentina had raced to a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes on Tuesday. Goals from Cristian Romero and Leandro Pare- Spain’s Euros preparations were thrown into chaos when captain Sergio Busquets returned a positive des appeared to have Lionel Messi’s Argentina cruising to victory, but Colombia pulled one back early in the second half via Luis Muriel’s coronavirus test on Sunday, forcing the entire team into isolation and Tuesday’s friendly with Lithuania penalty. Borja, who was one of three half-time substitutes for Colombia, produced the decisive late intervention, moving his side to eight to be hastily re-arranged. (DPA) points from six games in qualifying. (DPA)