Parreira: Failure in 2014 'unthinkable' for Brazil

By TALES AZZONI

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 4:41 p.m. ET April 2, 2012

SAO PAULO (AP) -Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Monday that anything less than winning the World Cup title would be considered a failure for his country in 2014.

Parreira said Brazil has an obligation to win the World Cup at home and that there won't be excuses good enough to justify not doing that.

"We have the responsibility, we have to win the World Cup in Brazil," Parreira told the SporTV channel. "It's unimaginable, unthinkable for Brazil not to win the World Cup here. There is no other option."

He said Brazil will have to be able to cope with the heightened expectations from local fans wanting to see the national team do well.

"The pressure will be enormous," Parreira said. "The team will have to be prepared to deal with the impatience from fans. Brazil will have to be perfect both on and off the field."

The 69-year-old Parreira led the national team to the 1994 World Cup title and also coached the 2006 team when it was eliminated in the quarterfinals in Germany.

Parreira said the London Olympics will give coach Mano Menezes a "golden chance" to test players for the World Cup, but when it's over he should start focusing on preparing the team and stop experimenting with his choice of players.

"Until the Olympics, you have to make tests because you only see a player's potential by watching him play," Parreira said. "But after that you will have very few opportunities and you need to establish your team and work with it."

The Olympics is the only significant football competition that Brazil has yet to win.

Parreira also said he thinks two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho has lost his desire, and that is keeping him from performing to his previous high standards.

"He needs to have the passion to become a top player again and to play in the national team," the former coach said. "If he doesn't have that, he won't work for the World Cup."

Ronaldinho, who played for Parreira at the 2006 World Cup, has been consistently selected by Menezes but has received heavy criticism for his poor performances with Brazilian club Flamengo.

"Ronaldinho hasn't forgotten how to play football," Parreira said. "When he wants, he can still play memorable matches."

---

Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement

APOEL need miracle against Madrid in Champions

MADRID (AP) -Real Madrid should reach its second straight Champions League semifinals under coach Jose Mourinho barring a catastrophic collapse against Cypriot team APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday.

david choe national wear red day gunner kiel gunner kiel groundhog soulja boy punxsutawney phil