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THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 SPORTS Can Brazil win without Neymar? FORTALEZA: As Brazil erupted when Chile’s thing. I took a knock, I had cramp. Now all I want disappointing performances. has always had a wing-man. Pele had Vava, Gonzalo Jara struck the post to hand La Selecao to do is rest.” “He doesn’t move, he doesn’t shoot and he’s Garrincha and Jairzinho in his three triumphs, an agonising passage to the World Cup quarter- Neymar will be fit for Friday’s quarter-final dragging the team down. I don’t know if Brazil Bebeto partnered Romario in 1994 and Ronaldo finals on penalties, their star player Neymar col- against Colombia, the Brazilian Football should change the system or play Neymar as a led a three-pronged attack with Rivaldo and lapsed in the centre-circle in tears. Federation have confirmed despite injuries to his false nine, but the fact is that Fred is not the Ronaldinho in 2002. His reaction a mixture of joy, relief and exhaus- thigh and hamstring. answer for what they are doing now.” Given Neymar’s fantastic record of 35 goals in tion, the 22-year-old is carrying the burden of a Who will start alongside him remains a ques- One obvious factor keeping Fred’s place in the 53 appearances for his country has come in the expectant nation of 200 million people as well as tion though as neither of their two principal cen- side, though, is that Jo’s form has been just as main from starting in his preferred role on the anyone could have hoped. tre-forwards Fred and Jo have impressed in the bad. left side means he is unlikely to move more cen- He has scored four times in as many games competition so far. The former Manchester City man fluffed a tral as Shearer suggested. and also coolly slotted home Brazil’s fifth and Fred does have one goal to his name, a header great chance within minutes of his entrance The only other option available to Luiz Felipe final penalty in the shootout. from point-blank range into an empty net against Chile and the fact he wasn’t among Scolari would be to use Hulk as a battering ram However, the image of a weeping and clearly against Group A whipping boys Cameroon, but Brazil’s five penalty takers spoke volumes. centre forward and bring an extra creative player hobbled Neymar, having receiving numerous was dragged off for Jo with Brazil in need of a The storied history of Brazilian strikers at the like Willian or Bernard into the side. heavy challenges throughout the game, begs the goal against both Chile and Mexico. The World Cup also doesn’t bode well for Neymar and Scolari’s loyalty to his trusted soldiers makes it question how long Brazil can continue to depend Fluminense striker has come in for some fierce company if Fred and Jo don’t come good. more likely he will give Fred and Jo one last go solely on the Barcelona man in attacking areas? criticism, most notably from former England cap- Despite a stellar supporting cast including for the quarter-final against Colombia at least. “We really suffered. It was pure emotion. My tain and fellow number nine Alan Shearer. Zico and Socrates, the much-maligned Serginho Whether that loyalty is finally rewarded or proves tears after the game were of happiness,” Neymar “I just don’t understand why Brazil are still failed to fire them to victory in 1982. folly will be decided in the heat of Fortaleza on said after the Chile game. “Today I had every- picking him,” Shearer said after Fred’s first two When Brazil have succeeded, their star man Friday. — AFP Pekerman plotting Brazil’s downfall FORTALEZA: In the closest set of last 16 Eight years on Pekerman has the matches ever at a World Cup, only Jose chance to banish those ghosts and repay Pekerman’s Colombia were comfortable his own country as well as his adopted victors, sweeping aside a despondent Colombia by knocking out Argentina’s Uruguay 2-0 to cruise into the quarter- eternal rivals from their own World Cup. finals. Now, though, comes the real test Brazil and Colombia have arrived at for ‘Los Cafeteros’ and their Argentine the same point by very different means. manager as he aims to bring down a 200 The pressure and tension which sur- million people strong expectant nation rounds every game the hosts play is pal- in Brazil riding a wave of emotion that pable not only within the stadium, but saw them squeeze past Chile into the last around the entire country. eight. By contrast, Colombia, having lost star Another James Rodriguez-inspired striker Radamel Falcao to a serious knee victory over Uruguay means Colombia injury, have played in a more care-free are one of only two sides in Brazil to have manner which has allowed their flair won all four of their games without the players, particularly James, to shine. need for extra time. “Sometimes a team with a lot of James has been the star, scoring five potential, if they don’t find the result and of his side’s 11 goals, but that they have they need to win, they can’t play so bril- also only conceded twice speaks won- liantly,” Pekerman said of Brazil after ders of Pekerman’s ability to strike a bal- beating Uruguay. ance despite possessing an array of tal- “So the competition becomes inter- ented young forward players and an age- esting because a team with less individ- ing defence. ual stars can disturb the balance of the Pekerman is now also level with dou- other team.” ble World Cup winner Vittorio Pozzo as Colombia are expected to do more the only coach to go nine games unbeat- than merely disturb Brazil come Friday in en in open play. the heat of Fortaleza. In stark contrast to However, the 64-year-old’s bitter exit his opposite number on the Brazilian with Argentina in 2006 on penalties to bench Luiz Felipe Scolari’s reliance on hosts Germany has left him with unfin- feeding the emotions of his players, ished business at the World Cup. Pekerman’s strength lies in his tactical Having shone in the group stages and prowess. beaten Mexico in the last 16 thanks to He has already shown his flexibility in Maxi Rodriguez’s wonder strike, this competition by switching from a one BRAZIL: A combination of pictures taken in June 2014 shows supporters of The Brazil (at left) and Colombia (at right) during the 2014 FIFA Argentina looked well set for their first striker system that worked so well in the World Cup in Brazil. Brazil will play against Colombia in the quarter-finals of the tournament tomorrow. — AFP World Cup semi-final in 16 years thanks group stages to playing two up front to Roberto Ayala’s headed opener. when he knew his side would have to With his side leading with 20 minutes take the game to a dogged Uruguay. to go, Pekerman controversially removed A switch back to a five man midfield is Belgium strike sinks US playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and expected as Pekerman looks to frustrate left a 19-year-old Lionel Messi on the Brazil and feed on their anxiety. But bench to try and see the game out. The don’t expect Colombia’s adopted mas- SALVADOR: Extra-time goals from Kevin De With extra time moments away, United Roared on by deafening chants of ‘USA’, decision backfired as Miroslav Klose termind to get overly conservative Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku sealed a thrilling States’ Wondolowski missed a glorious chance Juergen Klinsmann’s side summoned the equalised, the Germans prevailed on should his side go in front against the 2-1 victory for Belgium over a spirited United that they would come to rue. All Belgium’s energy to raise American hopes. Midfielder penalties, and Pekerman swiftly offered hosts. That is a lesson from which he States on Tuesday and set up a World Cup goals in Brazil had come after the 70th- Green met a chipped Michael Bradley pass to his resignation. should have learned. — AFP quarter-final clash with Argentina. After domi- minute mark and their persistence finally paid volley home two minutes later and Dempsey nating normal time and being frustrated by off in extra time when De Bruyne fired home almost forced penalties, only for his clever set- an inspired Tim Howard in the U.S. goal, De after Lukaku raced down the right wing and piece effort to be foiled by Thibaut Courtois. Bruyne struck in the 93rd minute, collecting a centred. The win was Belgium’s fourth in four games in Escobar still in loose ball before turning and firing home an De Bruyne returned the favour on 105 min- Brazil and sealed their first World Cup quarter- angled shot from seven metres. utes, teeing up the frontman to power home final appearance since 1986. They will play In a pulsating extra-time, substitute striker a second which sparked a thrilling finale. Argentina on Saturday. — Reuters Colombian hearts Lukaku powered home a second on 105 min- utes after a clever De Bruyne pass before RIO DE JANEIRO: If Colombia had Italy four years earlier. Julian Green’s neat volley ensured a tense fin- reached the World Cup quarter-finals In 1994, the South Americans, led ish in which Clint Dempsey almost sneaked an 20 years ago the country might not by the mercurial Carlos Valderrama, equaliser.