Miranda urges Brazil to stand up and be counted

Seleção centre half Miranda has called upon his more experienced teammates to rise to the challenge posed by Chile and Venezuela in this week’s World Cup qualifiers. With the likes of Kaká, Ricardo Oliveira, Dani Alves, Jefferson and Elias in the squad, the average age of Dunga’s squad stands at nearly 28 years old. The […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-10-06 16:58:00

Seleção centre half Miranda has called upon his more experienced teammates to rise to the challenge posed by Chile and Venezuela in this week’s World Cup qualifiers. With the likes of Kaká, Ricardo Oliveira, Dani Alves, Jefferson and Elias in the squad, the average age of Dunga’s squad stands at nearly 28 years old. The Inter defender is calling upon the more senior players to steel themselves for a competitive qualifying campaign.

Upon his arrival in Santiago, Miranda told reporters, “We are used to great adversity. The most experienced need to show themselves and take responsibility. Chile are in the best moment, we cannot afford to hide. It will be a major challenge, facing a winning team who will be motivated by a strong home crowd. But the Seleção have worldwide respect and will look to earn a good result.”

With Neymar suspended, it is likely that Miranda will continue to captain the side and he won’t be underestimating the opposition, even if Brazil have won all 12 of their friendly matches since Dunga’s reappointment. “It is different from any other competition,” he said. These are more difficult games. Every move is more important in these games which will require much greater attention.”

Meanwhile, Zenit St. Petersburg forward Hulk is aiming to reproduce his blistering club form for his country, “I’m enjoying the best form of my career. Now it’s time to do it for the Seleção. I’m not afraid of the challenge.” Hulk, who has 6 goals this season already for Zenit, continued, “We know the difficulties Chile will pose. They won the Copa America and going through a great period. We have to take responsibility and ensure we play well. They are not tall, but they are very strong physically. We have to be strong and face them head on.”

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