Brazil’s supporters are now Brazil’s opponents — or so it seems. To explain: Haiti is a country of devoted Brazil football fans. Whenever the Brazilians take the World Cup stage, Haitians are swept up in emotion. That has long been the picture; for years Haiti found its footballing joy in Brazil, because back then it was only a spectator at the World Cup. But in time, that beloved team, Brazil, is today its opponent. Haiti is playing in the World Cup after 52 years, and for this Caribbean island side to line up against Brazil is something like a friend turned foe.
Haiti sit 82nd in the FIFA rankings, while Brazil are sixth — a vast gulf. But nothing is certain until the 90 minutes are up, because on the world stage there is often little difference between big and small sides on the pitch. Smaller teams fight the bigger ones eye to eye, and from that new history and fairy tales are born. Brazil are five-time world champions, an enduring symbol of football’s beauty, and are again among the favourites at this World Cup. For Haiti, facing the powerhouse Brazil is like a trial by fire; yet this combative side will try to prove itself with boundless energy. The match will be played tomorrow, Saturday, at a stadium in Philadelphia in the United States, kicking off at 6:30 am Bangladesh time. Whether Brazil return to winning ways or Haiti stun the football world with an upset is what remains to be seen.
The familiar Brazil was not on show in their opening match. Their passing game was subdued against Morocco’s high press, and they left the field with a single point thanks to a Vinícius Júnior goal and goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s heroics. But coach Carlo Ancelotti has worked hard on the mistakes from the Morocco match, and his side is desperate to return to its true form against Haiti. Neymar’s involvement in this match is again uncertain, though the superstar is training with the team, so Vinícius will have to take charge of the attack, alongside the in-form Raphinha. Brazil’s strength in midfield looked less creative last time, the two wings were not strong, and the defence looked shaky. If they overcome these problems, a rampant Brazil could be on show against Haiti. Tactically, Brazil may go on the front foot from the start, with the Seleção aiming to score early and then extend their lead, since they have no alternative to a win over Haiti to balance the equation for the next round.
Physical strength, pace and a nothing-to-lose mentality are Haiti’s main weapons. The side knows well that keeping possession against a team like Brazil is near impossible, so their key plan will be to park the bus and defend as a unit before breaking forward on the counter. Haiti’s attack could pose a threat to Brazil’s high defensive line, and they are adept at scoring from both set pieces and corners. Their one shortcoming is a lack of experience in big matches on the world stage, which will make keeping out Brazil’s forwards for the whole match difficult. Still, a side that began its World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Scotland will also be hunting for a win.
Past records weigh not just heavily but overwhelmingly in Brazil’s favour. The two sides have rarely met in major tournaments; they last faced each other at the 2016 Copa América, where Brazil won 7-1. Earlier, in a 2004 friendly, Brazil thrashed Haiti 6-0, and before that, in a 1974 friendly, Brazil had a 4-0 win. Brazil will want to keep that rhythm of success going at the World Cup.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report