Brazil will face Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday at Al Rayyan. Both teams are now preparing for this match. Latin American team Brazil wants to chase the "ghost" of Europe by winning the match and reaching the semi-finals. Ghost?
Yes, ghosts or curses can be said. This 'ghost' is coming back to haunt Brazil since the 2002 World Cup victory.
Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002. After that, Brazil reached the quarter-finals three times in four World Cups. Three times they have been eliminated by losing to some European team. Brazil's opponent in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals was France. In that World Cup, the 'fourth' attacking division dreamed of winning the World Cup by the 'Selesao' - Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano.
But Brazil lost in the quarter-finals thanks to Zinedine Zidane's solo effort. Thierry Henry's goal in the 57th minute saw the previous champions return home with a 1-0 deficit. Then the change began in Brazilian football.
The Brazil team was completely changed in the intervening 4 years before the 2010 World Cup. Coach Dunga brought in new players in other positions if Kaka and Robinio were there. Brazil's opponent in the quarter-finals was the Netherlands. Robinho's goal in the 10th minute was Brazil's lead in the match. But after the break, Wesley Sneijder's double goal broke Brazil's dream again. Losing 2-1, we had to leave.
Melo's red card for trampling Dutch star Arjen Robben with his boot in that match will remain the emblematic scene of Brazil's ugly performance throughout the tournament.
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