With many in Brazil and beyond already looking ahead to the 2014 World Cup to be held in the country, national team coach Mano Menezes has turned his attention to the 2013 Confederations Cup warm-up event.
With the tournament less than 12 months away and representing Brazil"s only competitive fixtures in the four-year cycle since the 2010 World Cup, the event is crucial to the nation"s plans for the following year.
“We need a squad ready for the Confederations Cup – this is the goal for our preparations. I think we are 70% ready," Mano Menezes insisted. “We were not brilliant [against South Africa], but we won the game."
Brazil"s next challenge comes in the form of China, who will take on the Seleção in Recife on Tuesday, in the second of this month"s international friendlies.
It is expected that Mano Menezes will name the same starting line-up as in the fixture with South Africa, with the exception of goalscorer Hulk replacing Leandro Damião as the team"s spearhead.
