Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has told the press that today’s friendly with South Africa is as important as any other game since he returned to coach Brazil, and insisted that a winning mentality is vital if they want to be successful in this year’s World Cup on home soil.
“We want to be world champions again,” Scolari said ominously, “and we’re in South Africa to win. Bafana Bafana beat Spain recently so they will provide a good test.”
“The match represents an important part of our build up. It is an opportunity to get the players and back-room staff together a final time before naming the World Cup squad.”
Brazil will also face Serbia and Panama in the lead up to the tournament, which kicks off on June 12. They will line up in Group A alongside Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.
The 65 year-old Scolari has previously coached Brazil to World Cup success, when they lifted the title in 2002 in Japan and South Korea.
