Nervous Brazil awaits Colombia clash

04 กรกฎาคม 2557

Brazil's coach and players deny nerves will affect them against Colombia after reports surfaced that a sports psychologist had an "urgent" meeting with the team.

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Brazil's players watch nervously during the penalty shootout after extra time in the round of 16 football match between Brazil and Chile at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

Brazil captain defends team tears

FORTALEZA, Brazil, AFP – Brazil captain Thiago Silva insisted Thursday his teammates were mentally tough enough to cope with World Cup pressure after criticism of the squad's tears during the last 16 win over Chile.

"I think we are good psychologically. We are doing what we love to do," the Paris Saint-Germain defender said on Thursday.

"There was a lot of pressure to win that match so we know we had to give all we had, but when you do things with a lot of will and desire there is no way to not be emotional."

Brazil's emotional defender and captain Thiago Silva (R) hugs a member of the coaching team after Brazil won their match against Chile. That is coach Luiz Felipe Scolari in the middle. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

Amid complaints that there have been too many public tears, the squad held a session with the team sports psychologist this week to prepare for their quarter-final clash with Colombia on Friday in Fortaleza.

(Sports psychologist Regina Brandao made an "urgent" and unscheduled visit to their training camp on Tuesday, ahead of Friday's quarter-final with Colombia, the Brazilian daily newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said.)

Silva, with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sitting next to him, dismissed criticism of his leadership.

"When those things are said we have to look away. The leader is beside me, he is the commander and backs me so I don't care what people from the outside say.

"I just need to think about my job. This is the way I am, I am very emotional and this a very natural thing. This doesn't affect me at any time on the pitch.

"I don't think the emotion makes anything more difficult. I have overcome difficult moments. I had tuberculosis and had my life at risk, but I am a champion on and off the pitch and I show maturity and respect."

Brazil's forward Neymar (C) appears to cry as Brazil's national anthem is played before a Group A football match between Brazil and Mexico in the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA

Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto triggered debate by accusing the Selecao of crying too easily.

"The team is crying when they're singing the anthem, when they get hurt, when they shoot penalties! Come on... Stop crying! Enough!" he said.

Scolari is maintaining his insistence that Brazil will win the World Cup, despite a less than stellar four games from his side so far in the competition.

"There are seven steps and we are going onto the fifth."

Colombia come into the game having won all four of their games, thanks in large part to five goals from the tournament's top scorer James Rodriguez.

Scolari insisted he had no plans to man-mark the Monaco playmaker, but did admit he could change his formation in the absence of the suspended Luis Gustavo.

Scolari believes Colombia's more offensive style can benefit Brazil's flair players after 120 minutes of battle against Chile.

"Colombia is a more technical team than Chile," said Scolari.

"Chile have more strength and play with a spirit which makes the game dynamics very different. The rivalry with Colombia is not the same as with Chile, Argentina or Uruguay.

"It was much more difficult against Chile. Colombia are also a great team with some great players, but when we don't have these rivalries our players feel more at ease."

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