BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Brazil will begin the defense of its Confederations Cup title on Monday against an Egyptian team it knows very little about.
The five-time world champions are hoping to get off to a good start in its attempt to become the first nation to win three Confederations Cup titles, but the Brazilians enter the first match wary of the unknown African champions.
“We don’t know what to expect from Egypt, Brazil striker Robinho said. “Of course we respect them, but we don’t know much about them.
Brazil has faced the Egyptians four times, but the last match was more than 46 years ago. In four friendlies played before 1963, Brazil earned four victories.
“Right now, we know very little about Egypt, striker Luis Fabiano said. “Hopefully coach Dunga will be able to give us some information about what kind of weapons they have.
Dunga has more of an idea about Brazil’s Group B opponent at the Free State Stadium on Monday in Bloemfontein.
“Egypt might not be that well known, but it’s a team with a lot of capacity, Dunga said. “It’s a team that marks well and uses a lot of speed on counterattacks. We have to make sure our players can avoid any surprises.
Brazil is the favorite to advance from the group along with World Cup holder Italy, and victories against Egypt and then against the United States on Thursday are key for the Brazilians.
“The goal is to use the first two matches to guarantee a spot in the next stage, Robinho said.
Egypt won the 2008 African Cup of Nations to secure its spot in this year’s tournament, but it is struggling in World Cup qualifying and coach Hassan Shehata will have to cope with the loss of injured Wigan striker Amr Zaki. The record six-time African champions will have to rely on Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan.
Egypt hasn’t played in the World Cup finals since 1990, and its only Confederations Cup appearance was in Mexico in 1999, when it failed to advance past the group stage.
“We are well aware of the differences between the teams, Shehata said Sunday through a translator. “But we will display our best performance and hope to give an image of how African football has developed lately.
Brazil is the only team to have participated in all six editions of the Confederations Cup since it became organized by FIFA in 1997, winning it in 1997 and 2005. Another title would make Brazil the competition’s top team with three trophies, one more than France. The only team back from the 2005 tournament, Brazil also can join France as the only nation to repeat as champion.
“We know Brazil is very strong, no one can deny that, Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan said. “But we also have good players. We also have a good team. We want to play as hard as we can so we can defend our reputation.
While Egypt is having problems qualifying for the World Cup in Africa, the Brazilians come boosted by two consecutive victories in South America – 2-1 over Paraguay and 4-0 over Uruguay. The wins moved Brazil into first place in the group and virtually secured the nation a spot in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Dunga acknowledged that he will use the Confederations Cup mainly to get to know his players better and see which ones he can count on for next year’s World Cup, but he also knows that anything but the title will be considered a disappointment back in Brazil.
“We need to try to win it, definitely, Dunga said.
Brazil earned a spot in this year’s Confederations Cup by winning the 2007 Copa America.
Both teams were not allowed to practice at the Free State Stadium on Sunday because of heavy rain overnight. FIFA said it didn’t want to risk damaging the field ahead of Monday’s match.
