Brazilians don't cut corners

2006-06-11 22:35

Koenigstein - Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is paying particular attention to free kicks and corners as Brazil chase their sixth World Cup title.

Parreira said this was one of the few areas Brazil still needed to fine-tune before starting the match against Croatia on Tuesday. Initial World Cup matches had reaffirmed the importance of defending well on set plays.

Parreira said: "We've seen it happen already. It's always dangerous play.

"England's goal came on a set play, on a (David) Beckham free kick; Argentina also got one, on a free kick well taken by (Juan) Riquelme."

Brazil spent its entire practice session on Sunday working on free kicks, corners and even throw-ins, both on attack and defence.

Ronaldinho, Emerson, Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldo, Lucio and Juan were among the players who participated in the training.

Parreira said Brazil would have to be extra careful on balls crossed into the area, particularly when facing European nations.

"They often play like this - they are very precise on free kicks and corner kicks."

Parreira recalled that Brazil lost the 1998 final to host France on Zinedine Zidane's pair of headed goals from corner kicks.

- AP