Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Monday 18 June 2018

WORLD CUP forward. They did, and it
Continued from Page 18 worked."
"We got a draw but this is Coutinho had another
only the beginning for us. chance to put Brazil in the
We knew this game wasn't lead but he sent the ball
going to be easy." wide in the 67th minute.
Ramos also ignored a "I'm very glad to score but
penalty claim late in the what was important was
second half when Gabriel our effort to win and what
Jesus was wrestled to the we did as a team is what
ground by Switzerland de- counts," Coutinho said. "We
fender Manuel Akanji. had some great moments
Swiss players ended up with and positive moments. Now
three yellow cards, and 10 we need to think about the
of the 14 fouls they commit- next match."
ted were on Brazil forward Brazil has won 17 of its 22
Neymar. matches since Tite took
Switzerland coach Vladimir over as coach in 2016. But
Petkovic described the in- they couldn't get another
cident against Miranda as one in front of a very Brazil-
an "ordinary challenge." He friendly crowd at the Ros-
also dismissed charges that tov Arena.
Neymar had been treated Besides Brazil and Germa-
harshly. ny, Argentina was held to a Mexico's Hirving Lozano, left, scores the opening goal past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer
during the group F match between Germany and Mexico at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the
"Of course, neutralizing 1-1 draw by Iceland on Sat- Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, June 17, 2018.
Neymar was a key ingredi- urday, and Spain and Por- Associated Press
ent of our game," he add- tugal played to a 3-3 draw
ed. Switzerland dominated on Friday. es Serbia in Kaliningrad on "The goal, the aggressive- the opposition grew stron-
the midfield for long spells Tite said he wouldn't make the same day. Serbia leads ness, the creative plays, it ger and we were not ad-
against a Brazil team that excuses for the disappoint- Group E after its 1-0 victory was characteristic of our vancing enough. We were
had been keen to start with ing scoreline. over Costa Rica. team," Tite said. "And then not blocking enough."q
a win after its disastrous exit "What happened with Mi- THEY SAID IT
as host in 2014. randa was clear, but it Petkovic said it was time
"I am proud of their deter- doesn't explain the result," the world took notice of his
mination," Petkovic said of Tite said. "There was a lot of team, which is sixth in the Parity comes to World Cup,
his team. "The first 40 min- pressure and anxiety on the FIFA rankings and won nine
utes were tough for us, and players and that translated of its 10 qualifying matches where top nations fail to win
at halftime I told the play- into the finishes that were to reach its fourth straight
ers to stay cool and press not precise. We had 20 fin- World Cup. MOSCOW (AP) — Parity has victories.
ishes but we should have "I'm not surprised with the come to the World Cup. No. 3 Belgium, No. 8 Poland
make the goalkeeper work result," the Bosnian said. Five of the top six nations and co-No. 12 England
harder. "Sometimes there is a lack in the FIFA rankings have haven't played, and No. 9
"But of course I'm not hap- of recognition (in Switzer- played, and none has won. Chile failed to qualify.
py with the result and of land's ability) and I think Only two of the top dozen Parity has been on the
course I wanted to win to- that's a pity because this teams have victories. rise throughout soccer,
night." team really believes in itself Top-ranked Germany lost with Iceland and Panama
The Brazilians remain haunt- and can achieve results. to No. 15 Mexico, second- reaching the World Cup for
ed by their 7-1 loss to Ger- "Against a difficult and ranked Brazil tied No. 6 the first time. Italy, the Neth-
many in the 2014 World strong opponent you need Switzerland, No. 4 Portugal erlands and the United
Cup semifinals that was to be realistic and some- drew 10th-ranked Spain, States were among the na-
followed by a 3-0 defeat times you play passes with- and No. 5 Argentina tied tions that failed to qualify
against the Netherlands in out thinking too much but I 22nd-ranked Iceland. for the 32-nation field.
the third-place playoff. think the team has shown Among other teams in the The World Cup is scheduled
GROUP DYNAMICS great determination and top 12, only No. 7 France to expand to 48 nations for
Brazil will next face Costa true spirit." Tite said he was (over No. 36 Australia) the 2026 tournament in the
Rica on Friday in St. Peters- happy with his team's play and co-No. 12 Denmark United States, Mexico and
burg, while Switzerland fac- until Switzerland scored. (against No. 11 Peru) have Canada.q