Brazil Coach Luis Felipe Scolari says his team owe it to injured star Neymar to win the World Cup.
The 22-year-old went off injured during the Selecao’s quarter-final against Colombia and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
Brazil Coach Luis Felipe Scolari says his team owe it to injured star Neymar to win the World Cup.
The 22-year-old went off injured during the Selecao’s quarter-final against Colombia and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
Speaking at a Press conference ahead of the host nation’s semi-final against Germany tonight, Scolari admitted the loss of their biggest goal threat is a blow but expressed his confidence that others would step up.
"Neymar has done his share. Now it's up to us to do our share," he told the assembled media.
"We have accepted what has happened and we are focusing on other things.
"In this match we will be playing not just for ourselves and everything we've ever dreamed of, but also for Neymar and everything he's done for us.
"I know the starting line-up and when they walk on the field you will see why I made those choices.
"I will tell the Brazilian people that we are doing our best and doing what we think is necessary – all of us.
"Sometimes this is not in a very beautiful way but we're moving forward one step at a time towards the final.
"We will miss Neymar but we have a team who can overcome the difficulties and go into the final.
“We will play for us, for Neymar, for our population but above all we will go after the goal this group had had since the beginning – to play in the World Cup final at home."