18 August 2015

Brazil: Selecao Must Rediscover Confidence Says Elias

Brazil midfielder Elias has targeted September's Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour double-header as the perfect opportunity for the side to rediscover their confidence.

The Selecao are hoping to get back to winning ways after exiting June's Copa America in Chile at the quarter-final stage after suffering a penalty-shootout defeat to Paraguay.

They came into that tournament on a run of 10 consecutive Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour victories and, with World Cup qualifying on the horizon, Corinthians midfielder Elias is desperate to see Dunga's side get back on track.


"Now is the time to restore our confidence," Elias told SpoTV.

"We won ten games, but it did not go so well at the Copa America.

"Football is about confidence. We went in with confidence, but we lost it. Now we must recover that."

 Elias has starred for table-topping Corinthians this season, chipping in with three goals in a more dynamic role than the one in which he operates for Brazil.

"I do push forward for Brazil but the ball does not come as quickly as it does at Corinthians," Elias said.

"At Corinthians, we already have that rapport. I push on and they only have to touch the ball for me.

"In the national team, we don't get the time to build that rapport. It only comes towards the end when you're already tired."


Elias has established himself as one of the first names on Dunga's team sheet - he started all four matches at the Copa America and is expected to line up alongside the returning Luiz Gustavo next month.

Five-time world champions Brazil will meet Costa Rica at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, on September 5 before travelling to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, for a clash with USA on September 9.

No comments: