Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira remained sanguine about Brazil’s Confederations Cup prospects, despite Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Mexico.
“Every time Brazil get beaten it’s considered a national disaster but that’s not the case, you’ve got to look at how we were beaten,” he said.
“Our top priority now is to get a result against Japan (in Cologne on Wednesday,” said Parreira.
He paid tribute to Mexico’s defence which managed to nullify the much-vaunted Brazilian quartet of Robinho, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Adriano.
“It doesn’t matter how many Ronaldinhos and Robinhos you have in your team, how much ability you have when you’re opponents can defend well like Mexico a result’s going to be tough to get.
“The Mexicans have exceptional physical condition and good ball skills but at the same time we had lots of opportunities – 16 compared to their three – lots of chances which could have changed the game.
“The last time Mexico lost we beat them 4-0 in the Copa America last year. Since then they’ve gone 20 matches unbeaten, it shows the state of Mexican football.”
Ronaldinho said the game against Japan was now hugely significant.
“It’s like a final to us, we’ve got to win it,” said the Barcelona midfielder.
“We created a hatful of chances in the first half but lost from a setpiece. I think if we’d managed to score in the first half the result would have been different.”
