CBF president Marin backs both Scolari and ‘winner’ Teixeira
RIO DE JANEIRO: Jose Maria Marin, president of the Brazilian football confederation, has expressed his full confidence in the Selecao and coach Felipe Scolari despite the disappointment of Tuesday’s goalless draw against Mexico writes KEIR RADNEDGE.
Marin also offered a qualified defence of his CBF predecessor Ricardo Teixeira at a media briefing presentation of a post-World Cup legacy project.
On Tuesday night Brazil were defied by the brilliance of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in their 0-0 draw in Group A, They will still qualify for the second round as mini-league winners if they beat Cameroon in their concluding game in Brasilia on June 23.
Marin, who recalled Scolari in place of sacked Mano Menezes in November 2012, said: “Of course victory would have been better but just the fact that the Mexico goalkeeper was considered the best player on the pitch means Brazil played very well. They just could not score a goal. But I’m at ease and emphasise my total trust in Felipe Scolari and all the technical team.
“This is a World Cup which has brought us many surprises – [for] the current world champions [and] Uruguay – so in the wc there are no easy matches. The teams who came here are here because they deserve it and every match shall be a battle.
Respect
“In a World Cup there are no winners on the day before a game and Brazil are aware that we must have the utmost respect for all our opponents. The first match was very important because we faced a lot of difficulties, went behind, but had the capacity to catch up. I trust all the team and, above all, the manager.”
While he was in defensive mode, Marin also sidestepped a question about the probity of Ricardo Teixeira, his scandal-embattled predecessor as CBF president.
Teixeira, CBF leader when Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, fled into exile in Miami two years ago.
Marin, who had been Teixeira’s loyal vice-president, was asked his opinion after a media briefing focused on FIFA’s financing of a legacy project in Brazil after the World Cup.
He said: “In my humble opinion I think never, in my life, made comments about another citizen. It’s not up to me to judge anyone and I wouldn’t do that now.
“In terms of his office Ricardo Teixeira was a winner. He attained titles for Brazil and I analyse his behaviour only as someone who has been a manager in the world of football.”
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