After the rest day on Thursday, the Maracana World Cup resumes this Friday, October 4 with the quarter-finals. Among the qualified countries is Brazil, author of a faultless run for a country that is just discovering the Maracana. But with its DNA, Brazil was able to adapt quickly to this new discipline.
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With our correspondent in Abidjan, Moh Lameen Sy Savané
The most successful country in the World Cup, considered the flagship nation of world football, Brazil is a novice at the Maracana, football invented in Ivory Coast and named after the legendary stadium in… Brazil. But chase away the natural, it comes back at a gallop. With the Auriverde flag in the stands and the country’s ambassador in support, this novice Brazil is determined. And above all, learn quickly.
At 67 years old, António Carlos is the coach of the selection. He set it up a few days before the competition and only had three days to prepare it. “ The Brazilian really likes footballreminds the coach. In Brazil, people play everything football; futsal, grass football, etc. Here in Ivory Coast, we came as guests. We didn’t know we were going to get this far. Truly, it’s an immense joy to reach the quarter-finals. »
Ivory Coast-Brazil in the final?
Even if they won all their three matches, it was not easy, admits Denilo, number 10 of the team, who had a 20-year football career between Brazil, Tunisia and Turkey. “ For us it’s very difficult because there are very good teams here. They are used to playing this football. For us this is something very new. But when you put on the Brazil jersey, you have to give 100%. We are very happy and content to be here and I hope we continue to win. »
Afterwards, Denilo hopes that the Maracana will find its place in Brazil. “ After this World Cup, I hope that Maracana will be adopted in Brazil. I don’t even have a doubt, because it’s a football that combines technical gestures and a lot of goals “.
If it continues its momentum, Brazil could find Ivory Coast, favorites of the competition in the final for a great celebration of Maracana football.