Brazil, who swept aside rivals Argentinain the Confederations Cup final on Wednesday, are favourites for next year’s World Cup, according to coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Speaking after Brazil’s 4-1 humbling of Argentina, Parreira believed the performance underlined their status as favourites.
“We are going in as an absolute favourite,” Parreira said.
“We will have to work on it. We must ensure the role of favourite does not affect us.”
Parreira said he was happy to have won the Confederations Cup.
“We had the chance to test players. It’s not just a title for us,” Parreira said.
“We were defending well and very fast touching the ball. If we play that way we will be successful.”
Parreira also spoke about those countries who he felt would challenge Brazil.
“The home team will have a wonderful World Cup. I fancy Holland. The Czech Republic are strong. England and Portugal have improved a lot,” he said.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman refused to be downcast, despite the comprehensive nature of the defeat.
“Let’s not get desperate,” Pekerman said.
“Reaching the final shows that our competitive level was good enough, but we possibly faced the best team in the world in the final.
“I believe Argentina played well…but sometimes there are matches that are part of destiny,.
“You can have good moments in midfield but then another goal comes crashing in like a bomb.
“If the opposition team is as incisive as that, there’s nothing you can do.”
“Of course, a defeat like this brings a lot of pain,” Pekerman said. “You always think you can repeat the sort of performance we had in the last game. You always have hope.
“But today was the opposite story. Everything went right for Brazil. We have to work hard and recover.”
