Brazil tries to stay confident after losing Neymar

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BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Still coping with the loss
of its biggest star, Brazil is trying to find ways to remain upbeat
about its prospects at the World Cup.
The medical helicopter that
took Neymar home with a back injury also carried away much of the
country’s hopes for a sixth world title, but the tournament isn’t over
yet and Brazil is just days away from a difficult semifinal against
Germany.
"We have to try to be mature in a moment like this,"
Brazil defender David Luiz said. "We are sad because we are missing an
important player and someone who was trying to fulfill his dream of
winning this title."
One of the tournament’s main attractions,
Neymar had been decisive for Brazil until the devastating injury late in
the team’s 2-1 win over Colombia in the quarterfinals on Friday. He was
crucial on the field and an essential part of the group trying to win
the title at home. He was seen as the joyful youngster who was admired
and respected by everyone.
Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco said the
players were "shocked and saddened" when they heard Neymar would miss
the rest of the World Cup.
"It’s sad because we know how hard he
worked to be here with us," striker Fred said. "We know how important he
was for us. But we have to look at our group and realize that it still
has a lot of quality."
Everyone knows it won’t be easy replacing
Neymar. Brazil thrived when he played well and struggled when he didn’t
live up to expectations.
"It’s difficult to lose a player who is so crucial to our team," veteran right back Maicon
said.
It
will be up to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to find a replacement for the
22-year-old striker and to keep the team in contention for a sixth world
title.
The team’s other forwards have been struggling since the
competition began, and nobody else in the squad has the characteristics
of the Barcelona star.
Instead of using reserve strikers Bernard
or Jo, it’s likely that Scolari will pick one of his midfielders to play
in the match against Germany on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte. Willian,
Hernanes and Ramires are the most probable options.
Making matters
worse for Scolari is the fact that captain and central defender Thiago
Silva will also be missing because of a yellow card suspension.
"We
don’t know who is going to come in, but we know that we have a lot of
quality players in our squad," Silva said. "We are sad for Neymar and
because I’m not going to play, but we have to be prepared despite these
absences."
One way for Brazil to try to stay positive may be to look to its past.
It’s
not the first time Brazil’s national team lost its best player to
injury during the World Cup. It happened to Pele and Brazil still won
the title.
"I was also injured during the 1962 World Cup in Chile,
and I was out for the rest of the tournament," Pele said. "But God
helped Brazil continue on to win the championship."
When Pele hurt
a muscle in the second match of the tournament in Chile, most in Brazil
said the chances of a world title had diminished significantly. But the
team won its next four matches to clinch its second consecutive trophy.
"I hope the same will happen with our Selecao in this World Cup," Pele said.
Runco added that Neymar’s absence can work in Brazil’s favor.
"I
think this will help make this group become stronger, it will motivate
them to reach the final and win the title," the doctor said. "They will
want to honor this teammate who always helped the team."
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