Brazil praise Kochi fans for support

KOCHI: Spain coach Santiago Denia rued defensive lapses which helped Brazil come back from a goal down to win 2-1 in their FIFA U-17 World Cup Group D clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today.

Speaking to reporters after a close defeat, Denia said, “This game showed that there are many areas we have to improve in. We have to improve as a team, but we need improvements especially in defence,” he said. The Spaniards had taken a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute to stun the Brazil side, but the South American champions equalised in the 26th minute when Lincoln found himself in space to score off a rebound.

Matters worsened for Spain seconds before half-time when Brazil’s Paulinho was allowed time and space to go through on goal and score past goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez.

Spain went on to earn a spate of corners and free kicks in the second half which they failed to capitalise on as Brazil held on to win 2-1. “It is a concern for us. We need to work on our set pieces,” Denia conceded. Denia also stated that his players were yet to adapt to the humidity in Kochi.

On the other hand, Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu couldn’t hide his pleasure at the way his boys fought back after being pegged back early on.

“Mental power is the most important thing in football. When you concede a goal, you have to use your mental power to keep calm. Today we remained focused after conceding the goal. The players have it in their minds that Spain are really strong and that they have a fantastic coach,” Amadeu said. The Brazilian tactician reserved special praise for the crowd in Kochi, a vast majority of which were visibly rooting for his side.

Before the game, a stall outside the stadium was seen selling replica jerseys of Brazil bearing the name of Vinicius Junior, who didn’t make it to India after his club Flamengo allegedly refused to release him. It was a sea of yellow in Kochi throughout the duration of the much-hyped encounter, and it didn’t escape the notice of Amadeu.

“We have felt welcomed here in Kochi. We could see that since warm-up, people were cheering for us. There was very good support for Spain too,” said the coach. “It is always important to have this kind of support. We want to give something back to the fans as well,” he concluded.