BRASILIA, Brazil - Brazil got what it wanted in the opening game of the Confederations Cup. It beat Japan and regained support from demanding home fans after a series of disappointing home results.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had acknowledged that it was crucial to play well in the first match of the tournament to get the fans back on board, and Brazil did just that in a convincing 3-0 victory with goals by Neymar, Paulinho and Jo.
Brazil was jeered during home matches earlier this year, but got the crowd support it wanted this time.
“It was natural that the fans reacted like that, especially after we scored a goal just three minutes into the match,” Scolari said.
“After that, we got them to support us. If we had scored only in the second half or if Japan had played better, then it would have been more difficult.”
With the stands nearly packed and painted in the yellow color of the Brazilian jersey, the fans got behind Brazil from the start and the support continued throughout the match at the National Stadium in Brasilia.
“What I saw during the national anthem, with the entire stadium singing, was fantastic.
“That’s how it needs to be,” Scolari said. “When something like that happens, it can scare the opponent.”
The fans loudly chanted “Brazil, Brazil, Brazil” when the match ended. The starters and substitutes gathered to thank the fans, getting another round of applause from the crowd of 67,423 at the 71,000-capacity stadium in the nation’s capital.
Brazil hasn’t won a significant title since the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa and local fans have been eager for a triumph at home in the Confederations Cup and then at the World Cup next year.
Sports, Pages 32 on 06/16/2013