Casemiro calls for Brazil to step forward as they close in on World Cup qualification
Casemiro (centre) said his Brazil call-up is on merit rather than due to his close relationship to national team coach Carlo Ancelotti. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Casemiro calls for Brazil to step forward as they close in on World Cup qualification
– Veteran midfielder Casemiro said Brazil will look to rediscover their attacking instincts when they meet Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on June 10.
Brazil held Ecuador to a goalless draw in Guayaquil on June 5 in Carlo Ancelotti's debut as coach, showing defensive discipline but little attacking threat.
Casemiro, recalled by Ancelotti to the national squad after an absence of almost two years, said Brazil would need to take a more proactive approach to break down an in-form Paraguay at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.
'Each game is a different story,' said the 33-year-old, who played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid before his 2022 move to English Premier League giants Manchester United.
'It will be a game with a lot of possession and Paraguay wanting to play on the counter-attack. We will need to be switched on mentally and take our chances when they come.
'Brazil's main characteristic is always to attack, but having defensive solidity is already a step forward. There's no point in me saying we're playing well, but the team's attitude in the last game was good. Now we have to prioritise the offensive aspect a little more.'
Casemiro also praised Ancelotti's early impact on the squad, saying the Italian, who turns 66 on the day of the clash, had brought 'experience' and 'peace' to a team in transition. The former Sao Paulo and Porto player said he is enjoying his best form in years after a turbulent spell in his second season at United.
'This has been one of the most important years of my career,' he said.
'I never stopped working and that has allowed me to come back stronger. Hard work always pays off and now I'm here, not because I know the coach, but because I earned it.'
Brazil are in fourth spot on 22 points in the South American standings, two points and a spot adrift of Paraguay. The top six teams will qualify directly for showpiece tournament, while the seventh-ranked side will earn a play-off spot.
The winners of the Brazil-Paraguay clash will secure their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada but only if Uruguay beat Venezuela in Montevideo on the same day.
Knowing a spot on the sport's grandest stage is within reach is motivation enough for Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro, who said on June 8 that his side, who last featured at the World Cup in 2010, will approach the clash with Brazil with the belief.
'These are the kinds of matches in which we have everything to win and nothing to lose,' the 62-year-old Argentinian said.
'Brazil is always a difficult opponent but, at the same time, we know that if we win we could get the outcome that we've been striving for. It's a dream that has been put on hold for 15 years.'
Paraguay are unbeaten in nine games since Alfaro replaced Daniel Garnero as coach last August. While accepting that Brazil would pose a stern test under new coach Ancelotti, Alfaro expressed confidence that his team had the mindset to overcome the five-time world champions.
'I have no doubt that our attitude is what stands us apart and that we can maintain the same determined approach in every game we play,' he said. XINHUA
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
20 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Man City sign Cherki from Lyon on five-year contract
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - April 17, 2025, Manchester United's Andre Onana and Manchester United's Christian Eriksen react after Olympique Lyonnais' Rayan Cherki scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Manchester City have signed attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyonnais on a five-year contract ahead of this month's Club World Cup, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British media reported that City paid around 40 million euros ($45.70 million) for the 21-year-old Frenchman. Cherki had his best season for Lyon in 2024-25, scoring 12 goals and providing 20 assists in all competitions. "This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special," Cherki said in a statement. "I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport and I can't wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep (Guardiola) and his backroom staff. "I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can't wait to show City fans what I can do." The recently capped France international, who can play as an attacking midfielder and right winger, scored in both legs of his team's Europa League quarter-final 7-6 aggregate loss to Manchester United. City will kick off their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against Moroccan side Wydad AC, followed by matches against Emirati club Al-Ain and Juventus. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


New Paper
an hour ago
- New Paper
June 11 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) (4) NOTHING COOLER raced greenly in a fair debut. She is likely to come on from that. (6) FLYING SOUTH was a well-beaten third last run but may just have needed it. (5) RACEWAY disappointed last run after a much-improved previous effort. Watch market. (3) MOSCOW MISS beat Flying South a neck, but the 4kg claimer is replaced by Andrew Fortune. Race 2 (1,200m) (2) TIME WILL TELL has been knocking on the door for some time now. She goes well over this trip and has first-time blinkers. (8) CAPTAIN CLEVER was much improved first-up after a lengthy break. He now gets 4kg relief. (1) GORGEOUS BOMB was a close-up second over course and distance. Big say. (10) K M V RETROFIT has shown up well at her last two. Can feature. Race 3 (1,400m) (6) LEMON THYME was second-best last run but was narrowly beaten at her penultimate start. (4) CHERRY OH BABY had excuses last run but has been costly to follow. Blinkers on. (2) FASCINATION has not been too far back in her two outings. (5) CONCORDIA has modest form to date but gets first-time blinkers and can surprise. Race 4 (1,400m) (3) FRENCH FLAME made a promising start on the Poly last time and has improved in his last two. He gets first-time blinkers. (2) KITCHAKAL is never far back. He is course and distance suited with a plum draw. (5) CHINABERRY improved last run on the Poly and was not far back from a wide gate. (6) SAVANTRIX is back on the Poly over his optimum trip. Race 5 (2,000m) (4) AZALEAS FOR ALL has shown up well in her last two and was a beaten favourite last time. (3) ENGLISH PRIMROSE has a light weight and is back over her optimum trip. (9) QONDANEKUKHANYENI has improved with each outing and was touched off last run. (1) GRAND OCCASION was not far back to stronger last time. Race 6 (1,600m) (7) NUMZAAN has a big weight but Serino Moodley is back. (8) GRIPEN was a beaten favourite in his local debut. He makes his Poly debut but can go close again. (9) DAWN SURPRISE has consistent form over shorter but may now prefer this extended trip. (2) VIVA DE JANEIRO has consistent Highveld form. Switch to Poly could bring out the best. Race 7 (1,600m) (1) UZWANO is lightly raced and possibly still under the handicapper's radar. (5) GURKHA did not get the rub of the green in the last race. He can do better here. (10) SHOEFELLA has drawn wide but has done well against stronger. (4) OUR LADY FATE has good form on the Poly and is lightly raced. Race 8 (1,200m) (7) ULTRA QUICK has been consistent at recent outings on the turf. The rejuvenated Poly should suit. (5) PRIZED PLATINUM has shown up well in KZN and could prove the pick although Kabelo Matsunyane stays with (4) MARIACHI MADNESS. (3) HIPPOCRATES has a big weight but is a Poly specialist and jumps from a plum gate.

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Italy plans to scrap no single buyer rule in Serie A TV rights sale
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Sassuolo - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - August 27, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match through the television camera REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo MILAN - Italy plans to remove a ban on Italy's Serie A top flight soccer league selling its domestic broadcast rights to a single buyer, a draft government bill seen by Reuters showed, marking a major overhaul of media rules for live sports events. Italy introduced the "no single buyer rule" to avoid creating a dominant player in the pay-TV sector in 2008, when it approved a law entrusting sport leagues to collectively sell the rights to screen live matches. Broadcasting rights are the main revenue source for Serie A clubs but they lag behind those of other major European national leagues. Under existing contracts expiring in the 2028-29 season, Serie A earns some 900 million euros ($1 billion) annually from sport streaming service DAZN and pay-TV firm Sky, with the former screening all of the games and Sky co-broadcasting some of them. That sum is roughly half of the annual domestic broadcasting revenue of England's Premier League, which has a 'no single buyer rule' in place. Germany's Bundesliga, which last year removed its 'no single buyer rule', pockets some 1.1 billion euros annually from domestic broadcasting licences, according to data compiled by UEFA. The Italian government also plans to introduce changes in the way Serie A distributes the TV revenue among clubs, raising to "above 50%" from the current 50% the sum which must be equally split among all clubs, the draft bill showed. Clubs which develop and field young Italian players will be also granted additional revenue.($1 = 0.8758 euros) REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.