Pressures are increasing in the World Cup... and Brazil is dancing
Under pressure Brazil sways: togetherness, friendship and little dance moves!
The Brazilians are approaching Friday's quarter-final match against Croatia in the Qatar 2022 World Cup with a smile, despite the pressure of the result, the great legacy and everything except the lack of focus, as they assert.
During the great victory in the final price against South Korea (4-1), the Brazilian players multiplied their celebrations with each goal, even going so far as to perform what they called the "pigeon dance" alongside their coach Tite (61 years).
"It was agreed upon," striker Richarlison said.
He added, "(Tite) asked me to teach him the pigeon dance. It is important for him to be there and also bring us this joy. It infects us on the field."
However, the image of the playful Brazilians taking on the South Koreans drew criticism from the Seleção players.
"You shouldn't do it every time. It's disrespectful," former Ireland international Roy Keane said.
He continued, "Even their coach participated! I don't like it."
- 'There's always bitterness' - For Graeme Souness, a former player who is now a consultant, the situation carries risks of retaliation and other tough tackles. "It's only a matter of time before someone beats one of these Brazilians."
But Brazil is claiming its right to joy and lightness, perhaps after years of lean and tense World Cup.
"There are always people who are bitter and see it as disrespectful," Tete replied.
"But I don't want there to be any other explanation than the joy of the goal, the result and the performance," he added.
Since his arrival in Qatar, Seleção has made relaxation his way so far, despite several superstars being injured, such as Neymar, who missed ten days due to a sprained ankle before returning on Monday.
Ni also received signs of support from his teammates during his recovery, before going to celebrate his goal against the Koreans with Alex Telles, who will miss the remainder of the tournament.
At the end of the training sessions at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, on Tuesday, the players were able to meet their families in the stands.
Tete played on the grass with his grandchildren, while some players did the same with their children.
He added, "Just as we respect Arab culture or other cultures, we respect our own. Is it joy? Yes. There are moments of concentration and seriousness, and other moments. Goals are the best time to celebrate and this translates differently for everyone. For us, it's dancing. With respect for the opponent, it's a way To respect yourself."
In the life of the group, the coach was keen to maintain a good atmosphere by giving playing time to all his 26 players, even the third goalkeeper, Weverton, who entered at the end of the match on Monday.
While captain Thiago Silva confirmed that the competition between the main players and substitutes is "healthy", which was agreed upon by veteran Dani Alves (39), one of those who participated from the bench.
"If I had to play the drums for cheerleading, I would be the best drummer, and I would do what was good for the team," said the experienced fullback.
They will have to keep this joy alive before the decisive quarter-final match against Croatia on Friday, despite the tremendous pressure on the shoulders of the Brazilians, whose supporters are desperately waiting for their sixth world title, 20 years after the last coronation.
"There is a lot of joy and excitement", summed up the goalkeeper coach Claudio Taffarel, adding, "But there is also a sense of responsibility and relaxation".
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Brazil,
world cup 2022,
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