Latest news with #KashimaAntlers
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Zico: Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
KASHIMA, Japan: Carlo Ancelotti's track record of getting the most out of Brazilian players makes him the best man to take the national team back to the top, football legend Zico told AFP. The Italian Ancelotti has vowed to make five-time World Cup winners Brazil champions again next year after becoming the first non-Brazilian to coach the side in six decades. He nurtured Brazilians such as Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, helping to turn the 24-year-old from a figure of fun because of his inconsistent end product into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars. Zico is one of the best players ever to pull on Brazil's iconic yellow shirt and believes Ancelotti's understanding and experience make him the ideal man for the job. "Ancelotti played with Brazilian players, he has been a champion coach with Brazilian players at several teams and he's always praised Brazilian players and put them in a position to help him," Zico told AFP in Japan, where the 72-year-old is an adviser to J. League club Kashima Antlers. "He has a great understanding, he loves football and his approach to football is very much in line with Brazilian thinking. "So I think he can be successful for this reason, he can help Brazilian players thrive with his knowledge, his ability and his expertise." At 65, Ancelotti has five Champions League titles under his belt and has managed the cream of Europe's clubs including Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He is taking the reins of a national team for the first time and becomes Brazil's first foreign-born manager since 1965. Zico says Brazilian coaches are no longer in vogue around the world, pointing to declining numbers of his compatriots in former hotspots like Africa, Saudi Arabia and Japan. Zico, who has coached in several countries including Uzbekistan, Iraq and India, believes the Brazilian federation had little choice but to look overseas. "Now is not a good time for Brazilian coaches, not just in Brazil but all over the world," he said. "Now, when it comes to the Brazil team, if you're going to bring someone in, bring the best. As I see it, Brazil brought the best. "For me he's the best, so I don't see anything to complain about." Brazil have yet to clinch their place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are currently fourth in the South American qualifying table. Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Italian faces some tricky fixtures in World Cup qualifying, with games at Ecuador and Bolivia still to come. But Zico believes Brazil can be one of the main contenders for the trophy if they avoid the unthinkable and book their place in the tournament. "I think Brazil have a chance if Ancelotti manages to do a good job in the short time he has," he said.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Zico says Carlo Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
Brazilian football legend and current technical director for Japanese club Kashima Antlers Zico poses following an interview with AFP. PHOTO: AFP Zico says Carlo Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top KASHIMA – Carlo Ancelotti's track record of getting the most out of Brazilian players makes him the best man to take the national team back to the top, football legend Zico told AFP. Ancelotti has vowed to make five-time World Cup winners Brazil champions again in 2026 after becoming the first non-Brazilian to coach the side in six decades. He nurtured Brazilians such as Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, helping to turn the 24-year-old from a figure of fun because of his inconsistent end product into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars. Zico is one of the best players ever to pull on Brazil's iconic yellow shirt and believes Ancelotti's understanding and experience make him the ideal man for the job. 'Ancelotti played with Brazilian players, he has been a champion coach with Brazilian players at several teams and he's always praised Brazilian players and put them in a position to help him,' he said in Japan, where the 72-year-old is an adviser to J. League club Kashima Antlers. 'He has a great understanding, he loves football and his approach to football is very much in line with Brazilian thinking. So I think he can be successful for this reason, he can help Brazilian players thrive with his knowledge, his ability and his expertise.' At 65, Ancelotti has five Champions League titles under his belt and has managed the cream of Europe's clubs including Real, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. But he is taking the reins of a national team for the first time and becomes Brazil's first foreign-born manager since 1965. Zico says Brazilian coaches are no longer in vogue around the world, and believes the Brazilian federation had little choice but to look overseas. 'Now is not a good time for Brazilian coaches,' he said. 'When it comes to the Brazil team, if you're going to bring someone in, bring the best. As I see it, Brazil brought the best. For me he's the best, so I don't see anything to complain about.' Brazil have yet to clinch their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are currently fourth in the South American qualifying table. The top six will qualify automatically. Ancelotti faces some tricky fixtures in World Cup qualifying, with games at Ecuador and Bolivia still to come. But Zico believes Brazil can be one of the main contenders for the trophy if they avoid the unthinkable and book their place in the tournament. 'Why not? I don't see any team in the world today as favourites,' he insisted. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
eNCA
2 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Zico says Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
BRAZIL - Carlo Ancelotti's track record of getting the most out of Brazilian players makes him the best man to take the national team back to the top, football legend Zico told AFP. The Italian Ancelotti has vowed to make five-time World Cup winners Brazil champions again next year after becoming the first non-Brazilian to coach the side in six decades. He nurtured Brazilians such as Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, helping to turn the 24-year-old from a figure of fun because of his inconsistent end product into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars. Zico is one of the best players ever to pull on Brazil's iconic yellow shirt and believes Ancelotti's understanding and experience make him the ideal man for the job. "Ancelotti played with Brazilian players, he has been a champion coach with Brazilian players at several teams and he's always praised Brazilian players and put them in a position to help him," Zico told AFP in Japan, where the 72-year-old is an adviser to J. League club Kashima Antlers. "He has a great understanding, he loves football and his approach to football is very much in line with Brazilian thinking. AFP | Mauro PIMENTEL "So I think he can be successful for this reason, he can help Brazilian players thrive with his knowledge, his ability and his expertise." At 65, Ancelotti has five Champions League titles under his belt and has managed the cream of Europe's clubs including Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He is taking the reins of a national team for the first time and becomes Brazil's first foreign-born manager since 1965. Zico says Brazilian coaches are no longer in vogue around the world, pointing to declining numbers of his compatriots in former hotspots like Africa, Saudi Arabia and Japan. - Qualifying in balance - Zico, who has coached in several countries including Uzbekistan, Iraq and India, believes the Brazilian federation had little choice but to look overseas. "Now is not a good time for Brazilian coaches, not just in Brazil but all over the world," he said. "Now, when it comes to the Brazil team, if you're going to bring someone in, bring the best. As I see it, Brazil brought the best. "For me he's the best, so I don't see anything to complain about." Brazil have yet to clinch their place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are currently fourth in the South American qualifying table. Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Italian faces some tricky fixtures in World Cup qualifying, with games at Ecuador and Bolivia still to come. But Zico believes Brazil can be one of the main contenders for the trophy if they avoid the unthinkable and book their place in the tournament. "I think Brazil have a chance if Ancelotti manages to do a good job in the short time he has," he said. "I think Brazil could become one of the contenders for the title. Why not? I don't see any team in the world today as favourites."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Zico says Ancelotti just the man to take Brazil back to the top
Carlo Ancelotti's track record of getting the most out of Brazilian players makes him the best man to take the national team back to the top, football legend Zico told AFP. The Italian Ancelotti has vowed to make five-time World Cup winners Brazil champions again next year after becoming the first non-Brazilian to coach the side in six decades. Advertisement He nurtured Brazilians such as Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, helping to turn the 24-year-old from a figure of fun because of his inconsistent end product into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars. Zico is one of the best players ever to pull on Brazil's iconic yellow shirt and believes Ancelotti's understanding and experience make him the ideal man for the job. "Ancelotti played with Brazilian players, he has been a champion coach with Brazilian players at several teams and he's always praised Brazilian players and put them in a position to help him," Zico told AFP in Japan, where the 72-year-old is an adviser to J. League club Kashima Antlers. "He has a great understanding, he loves football and his approach to football is very much in line with Brazilian thinking. Advertisement "So I think he can be successful for this reason, he can help Brazilian players thrive with his knowledge, his ability and his expertise." At 65, Ancelotti has five Champions League titles under his belt and has managed the cream of Europe's clubs including Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He is taking the reins of a national team for the first time and becomes Brazil's first foreign-born manager since 1965. Zico says Brazilian coaches are no longer in vogue around the world, pointing to declining numbers of his compatriots in former hotspots like Africa, Saudi Arabia and Japan. Advertisement - Qualifying in balance - Zico, who has coached in several countries including Uzbekistan, Iraq and India, believes the Brazilian federation had little choice but to look overseas. "Now is not a good time for Brazilian coaches, not just in Brazil but all over the world," he said. "Now, when it comes to the Brazil team, if you're going to bring someone in, bring the best. As I see it, Brazil brought the best. "For me he's the best, so I don't see anything to complain about." Brazil have yet to clinch their place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are currently fourth in the South American qualifying table. Advertisement Ancelotti is their fourth coach since Tite stepped down following the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Italian faces some tricky fixtures in World Cup qualifying, with games at Ecuador and Bolivia still to come. But Zico believes Brazil can be one of the main contenders for the trophy if they avoid the unthinkable and book their place in the tournament. "I think Brazil have a chance if Ancelotti manages to do a good job in the short time he has," he said. "I think Brazil could become one of the contenders for the title. Why not? I don't see any team in the world today as favourites." amk/pst
The Mainichi
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Marinos stun Antlers as bottom beat top in J1 classic
YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) -- Bottom side Yokohama F Marinos stunned leaders Kashima Antlers 3-1 in the J-League first division on Sunday, the home team ending their record-worst seven-game losing run and 11-game winless streak. The only two "original 10" inaugural J-League members in 1993 who have never been relegated could not have had a more contrasting opening to this season, with Kashima flying high under new manager Toru Oniki while Marinos already parting ways with Steve Holland after a disastrous start and replacing him with Patrick Kisnorbo. But it was Kashima who came away empty-handed at Nissan Stadium, seeing their seven-game winning run come to an end and stay on 37 points as their lead at the top was narrowed to three points after second-placed Kashiwa Reysol drew 1-1 at Yokohama FC. "It feels great. I think it's down to all the players," Kisnorbo said at Nissan Stadium. "The last couple of weeks we've been building and building on our performances and today it shows that. But we can't stop now, we'll keep training hard and keep working." Marinos went in front after just four minutes as Kashima failed to clear the ball in the box, with left-back Katsuya Nagato arriving to strike the ball on a bounce to find the far bottom corner. Their dream start continued with Yan Matheus capping a flowing one-touch move from the left in the 13th minute. Takuya Kida's pass was laid off by Anderson Lopes and Riku Yamane to set up the Brazilian, who swept the ball into the left bottom corner. Lopes set up Marinos' third in the 27th minute after skipping past two challenges to feed compatriot Matheus, whose accurate curling effort from 20 meters out went in beyond a diving Kashima keeper Tomoki Hayakawa. Kashima got one back in the 36th minute in an unexpected manner when Ryotaro Araki passed inside the box to striker Leo Ceara, who was trying to get back up to his feet following a tangle and totally unaware as the ball bounced off him and looped into the net. The visitors failed to turn their dominance into chances after the break, however, and it was Marinos who had a golden opportunity in the 71st minute when Ren Kato had a shot saved at the near post, leaving an unmarked Lopes -- who was waiting for a tap-in -- furious. But it mattered little in the end as Marinos hung on to claim their first win since March 16, moving up to 11 points and eight points off safety. Elsewhere, Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat FC Tokyo 3-0 away for their fifth straight win to move up to 32 points, while 10-man Kyoto Sanga suffered a late 1-0 loss at Tokyo Verdy to remain on 31 points. Shimizu S-Pulse saw off Vissel Kobe 3-2, Fagiano Okayama drew 2-2 with Machida Zelvia and Albirex Niigata came from behind to beat Shonan Bellmare 2-1 to move up to 16 points, five points above Marinos. Kawasaki Frontale and Gamba Osaka drew 2-2.
