Ukraine, Egypt explore preferential trade deal: Zelenskyy    Egypt, Russia's Rosatom review grid readiness for El-Dabaa nuclear plant    Mastercard Unveils AI-Powered Card Fraud Prevention Service in EEMEA Region, Starting from Egypt    Global tour for Korean 'K-Comics' launches in Cairo with 'Hellbound' exhibition    China's factory output expands in June '25    Egyptian pound climbs against dollar at Wednesday's close    New accords on trade, security strengthen Egypt-Oman Relations    Egypt launches public-private partnership to curb c-sections, improve maternal, child health    Gaza under Israeli siege as death toll mounts, famine looms    EMRA, Elsewedy sign partnership to explore, develop phosphate reserves in Sebaiya    Philip Morris Misr announces new price list effective 1 July    Egypt Post discusses enhanced cooperation with Ivorian counterpart    Egypt's Environment Minister calls for stronger action on desertification, climate resilience in Africa    Egypt in diplomatic push for Gaza truce, Iran-Israel de-escalation    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger    Egypt, Tunisia discuss boosting healthcare cooperation        Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Grand Egyptian Museum opening delayed to Q4    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Egypt discovers three New Kingdom tombs in Luxor's Dra' Abu El-Naga    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Brazil win World Cup qualifier amid drama off the pitch
Published in Ahram Online on 05 - 06 - 2021

Amid a possible player revolt, Brazil beat Ecuador 2-0 on Friday to win its fifth consecutive match in South American World Cup qualifying.
Brazil now leads the round-robin tournament with 15 points, four ahead of second-place Argentina. It appears all but certain that Brazil will qualify for one of the four direct South American spots for Qatar 2022.
Gabriel Barbosa had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half before Richarlison opened the scoring in the 65th minute with a powerful shot from close range. Neymar assisted on the first goal and added the second from the spot in added time. The penalty was awarded after a video review, which also allowed Brazil's No. 10 to take a second chance after being stopped by goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.
Both goals were celebrated with the entire team around coach Tite. All players escorted Tite to the dressing room after the match.
Drama has been brewing around team since Brazil agreed to host Copa America. Team captain Casemiro suggested Friday that the players don't want to be at the tournament at home while Brazilians are still dying in large numbers from COVID-19. More than 470,000 Brazilians have died so far from the coronavirus.
Copa America was originally scheduled to be co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina. Colombia was forced to withdraw because of social unrest and Argentina last week declined to host the continental tournament because of a worsening of the pandemic.
Tite's post-match news conference was highly anticipated after rumors swirled during the day that he could resign before Copa America begins. The coach avoided giving details of what is to come, but did not rule out leaving the job.
On the eve of the match, Tite admitted that his players had discussed with the president of the Brazilian soccer confederation whether or not they should play the continental tournament. A final answer on the issue is expected after the match against Paraguay on Tuesday.
``I am doing my job normally. I always do. I am at peace with myself,`` said Tite, who was wearing a mask during the entire news conference. ``My adversities are very little in comparison with other people.``
Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro have called for Tite to resign. The Brazilian president has defied social distancing policies, saying lockdown measures kill more than the virus.
Asked whether he could leave the job next week, Tite replied: ``You can raise any hypothesis, I only ask you to be careful. I will express it when it matters. Not now. This was a tough match against Ecuador.``
Casemiro said after Friday's win over Ecuador that ``the players' position is very clear. More clear than this is impossible for now.''
``We want to speak after the match against Paraguay because we don't want to lose our focus,'' Casemiro said. ``This is the World Cup for us.''
The midfielder added any decision ``will come from all`` Brazil players. Local media has reported that Brazil's Europe-based players were leading a push against playing in Copa America.
Ecuador defender Robert Arboleda added that national team captains were discussing their participation in the South American championship, which is scheduled to be played June 13-July 10.
``There's a lot of people dying and something must be done. For us players it is hard to go to a hotel because people with the virus could give it to us and then we can infect the whole squad,'' he said, without answering whether he and his team will play in the tournament.
The next South American World Cup qualifiers will be played on Tuesday: Paraguay is up against Brazil and Colombia takes on Argentina. Also, it's Ecuador vs. Peru, Venezuela vs. Uruguay and Chile vs Bolivia.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)


Clic here to read the story from its source.