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Brazil eye another win against Mexico

Source: Xinhua | June 17, 2014, Tuesday | Online Edition

HOSTS Brazil will be keen to grab another win when taking on Mexico in their second World Cup Group A match in Fortaleza's Castelao Stadium on Tuesday.

The winner will be guaranteed a spot in the next round if Cameroon and Croatia draw their match on Wednesday in Manaus.

Brazil thrashed Croatia 3-1 in the 2014 World Cup opener on Thursday and Mexico edged Cameroon 1-0 on Friday.

Brazil and Mexico have met 38 times, with Brazil enjoying a favorable record of 22 wins and six draws. The last time Brazil beat Mexico was in last year's Confederations Cup when the Selecao beat Mexico, known as "El Tri", 2-0 in the second round group match.

However, the Mexicans did produce several big upsets including the 4-3 triumph in the final of the Confederations Cup in 1999. And they will be happy to do it again on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old rising superstar Neymar, who had a brace against Croatia, bears the expectations of scoring again to cheer the enthusiastic local crowds in Castelao Stadium. But he should also be cautious as one booking would rule him out of the game against Cameroon.

Brazil's striker Hulk is doubtful for Tuesday's duel after he withdrew early from the training session on Sunday with a pain in his thigh.

An initial CT scan showed that the Zenit St. Petersburg striker does not have a serious muscle injury, but Brazilian football authorities said Hulk will undergo physical therapy in hotel and be reassessed on Tuesday before their departure.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has already prepared for a tough match as he believes playing old rivals Mexico will never be easy.

"We know that it's never easy when we play against Mexico. The match is always even. It's always difficult," Scolari said.

"Brazil's second goal against them in the Confederations Cup wasn't scored until late in the second half," he recalled.

"We can't forget that Mexico's national team has had three coaches in the last 12 months, which means they also changed the way they play. The team that will play here is not the same that played us in the Confederations Cup. It's going to be a lot different."

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