An assembly of superior quality creative footballers all time favorite Brazil is again tipped to win FIFA World Cup 2018. 

Tita has inspired Joga Bonita back in Brazil football and the team in 2018 looks as great as the all time great Brazil team of 1970 of Pele, Tostao, Ziarzinho, Rivelino and Carlos Albero.  Irrespective of what happened Germany in the 7-1 drubbing in the last world cup at home, Brazil with all gun blazing looks good in its hexa mission . This young team with so many high quality energetic players is looking great and seemingly invincible.

Brazil is the only country which has football inscribed in its national flag. It is the only country of the world which featured in all the past 21 version. It won the top hour a record five times and finished twice each at 2nd, third and fourth position. Brazil is country known as a major Coffee trading country .But it is football that has put Brazil brighter in world map. Nothing less than championship pleases the adoring fans of Brazil all over the world.  Neymer is not Messi or Ronaldo but with Neymer not far behind 

Brazil has 23 players each of whom can feature in any other team of this world cup. Football is a game of 11 players and world cup is a tournament which greatly relies of availability of quality bench strength. Brazil has it better than any other team. Moreover, this team getting back Jogo Bonita displayed in Samba tune has rekindled dreams again for the championship.

Brazil played 104 matches appearing in all previous 21 world cup tournament. Won 74, lost 17 and drew 17. No other country is anywhere near that. They scored 221 goals and digested 102 

Brazil Role of Honor:

Year     Position                 Captain                   Scorers in The Final 
1958    CHAMPIONS      Miderado Belini             Vava, Pele Zagalo
1962    CHAMPIONS      Mauro Ramos              Amanido ,Zitto ,Vava
1970    CHAMPIONS      Carlos Albero       Pele, Gerson, Zairzinho , Alberto
1994    CHAMPIONS          Dunga                           NO SCORE 
2002    CHAMPIONS           Cafu                             RONALDO 

Many strong teams appeared on the seen from time to time. Uruguay, Italy, Germany also have glorious past. In modern area France, Spain, Netherlands and off course Argentina appeared on the seen. But no team can match the enigmatic appeal of Brazil which kept on producing world class players of exceptional quality. Whether it is domestic circuit on in European Leagues in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany Brazilians are always sought after. Brazilian style of Jogo Bonita depicts of beautiful artistic football of touch artists. Pele is one of the best footballer world football has ever produced. But others like Garrincha, Vava, Didi, Zito, Alberto, Jagalo, Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho and in modern time Neymar are admired and adored by football frenzy persons all over the world.

For a while Brazil lost the focus leaving its own brand of aggressive football trying to mix European style with their own South American brand. Teams after 2002 struggled to match their glorious past. But after the disastrous match at Maracana against Germany Brazil turned around bringing Tita in the helm of affairs and team looks a world beater now.

Brazil Sqaud 2018 

Goal Keepers: Allison (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corrinthian Sao Pualo)                                         
Defenders: Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos and Thiago Silva (Paris St German), Marcelo (RealMadrid), Fillipe Luis (Athletico Mardid), Franner (Corrinthians)  Pedro Geromel (Gremio) and Danilo (Manchester City)     

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernando (Man City), Paulinho (Barcellona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guaoan), Philippe Coutinho (Barcellona), Willan (Chelsea) and Fred (Shelktar Donstk) 

Forward: Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Roberto Firrnino (Liverpool), Douglas Costa (Juventus) Taison (Shakhtar Donet) and NEYMAR (Paris ST Germin) 

Look at the galaxy of talented players from leading clubs of the world. This team has so many options of quality players in all positions. For winning world cup a team has to play consistently well all through the tournament. Some key players getting injured create issues unless team has quality bench strength. It is where Brazil has distinct advantage. Team like Argentina has Messi or Portugal has Ronaldo. In Brazil Neymar only matches their class. But entire team has enough quality for making Brazil invincible. Many soccer pundits have already started telling whether it is the best ever Brazilian team appearing at the World Cup stage.

Brazil is placed in group E along side Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia. Following is the head to head record of the group mates against Brazil in World Cup

Team               P      W     D      L
Switzerland      8      3      3     2
Costa Rica      10     9      0      1
Serbia              1      1      0      0

We do not think teams in the group can put up much of a resistance to Brazil team moving ahead in the group of 16. In the bottom half of the 8 groups Germany, England and Columbia may be potential opponent of Brazil depending on out come of group matches. One hopes Brazil won’t make the same mistake of 2014 .That team was young and it lost star player Neymar at crucial stage before getting stunned by Germany.

Brazil Matches at Group Stage 

Brazil vs Switzerland on 16/06/2018 
Brazil vs Cota Rica   on 22/06/2018 
Brazil vs Serbia        on 28/06/2018 

Placed in a relatively easier group Brazil would give enough time not to stress Neymar still recovering from injury. They have enough fire power in the team to deliver. 

How TITE Has Changed?

The induction of very experienced TITE as manager of the team has done world of good. He has managed many leading Brazilian teams since 1990. Under his management, Brazil has started playing again the wonderful brand of football that earned their billions of admirers world over. Experts believe that Brazil has regained their elite status who has not only brought the flair back but also adopt pragmatic approach when needed. His trusted 4-1-4-1 system where Casimiro and full backs (Marcelo and Fagner) act as both first line of defense and initiate attack. 

Possible Starting Line Up:

It is assuring that Neymar is recovering quickly. He may not required full time in group matches but during knock out stage he must lead the 4-1-4-1 scoring strategy. Four attacking mid fielders Phillipe Countinho , Paulinho, Renato Augusto and Willan would generate many opportunities staying ahead of Casimero playing as defensive midfielder. Marcelo will be first choice left back; Dani Alvezand Fagner would fight for right back position. Miranda and Marquinhos may be preferred over Thiago Silva in the central back position. Ederson will keep the goal. Please do not forget the team has two brilliant youngsters Gabriel Jesus and Wallace who are tipped as possible stars of FIFA World Cup 2021. Neymar will deliver the knock out punch. 

Brazil is in a position to present a team of world cup standard even with its bench strength. Few teams even in their first XI won’t have so many quality players.

Possible starting XI:

Ederson, Dani Alves, Miranda, Marquinhos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Philppe Coutinho, Paulinho, Renato Augusto, Willian and Neymer,

World Wide admirers of Brazil would have lot to cheer and ultimately rejoice HEXA win.

BDST: 1036 HRS, JUN 5, 2018
SI