BRAZIL: They are touted as one of the title contenders, but Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu is in no mood to jump the gun and admitted that it won't be easy for his side to win their fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup title, here.
Brazil have appeared 15 times in 16 editions of the tournament before India and won the U-17 World Cup trophy thrice (1997, 1999 & 2003). They finished runners-up in 1995 and 2005, third in 1985 and fourth in 2011. Their solitary absence came at Japan 1993.
"We are really happy to be here. It is important for us to win but we know there are many great teams here. We know that it is not going to be easy for us. It is going to be really hard for us to win this competition," Amadeu said ahead of their tournament opener against European powerhouse Spain here tomorrow.
"In all games we have to study our opponents. We know the potential and style of Spain. We know our potential too. But be it the first game, second or the last game we will always play to win," he added.
Brazil are the reigning South American U-17 champions, but the coach said the World Cup is a completely different tournament.
"We made had a great championship ((South American U-17).It was really helpful for us. But it is past now. Our present focus is on the World Cup," he said.
Brazil captain Vitao said they are prepared to kick off their World Cup campaign.
"We are sure it would be a great game. We have really worked hard to prepare ourselves for this match," he said.
"Being the captain of the team I am really relaxed. I was the captain of South American Championship and we won the championship. The pressure for sure exists but I am OK."