Menezes to keep same squad for China friendly

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 9 (IANS) Brazil coach Mano Menezes has ruled out making major changes to his team for Monday’s international friendly against China in Recife city.

The match follows Brazil’s unimpressive 1-0 victory in Sao Paulo Friday over South Africa, who are ranked 62 places below them by governing body FIFA, reports Xinhua.

“It’s important to give the players a chance to be evaluated over both matches and for that reason our base for the next game will be very similar,” Menezes said.

The coach warned China was capable of surprising the best of opponents, citing an impressive performance against world champions Spain in June when they lost 0-1 after a late goal from David Silva.

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“Spain are a machine but they only managed to score 37 minutes into the second half,” Menezes said.

“All teams can have difficulties and if we are unable to get an early goal it’s going to be more difficult.”

Menezes called on Brazilian fans to show greater support to the team, which was jeered by large sections of the crowd during the friendly against South Africa.

Striker Neymar was the focus of discontent and boos reverberated around the Morumbi Stadium when he was substituted late in the second half.

“Neymar is one of the best, if not the best, player in Brazil and we can’t have him treated like that,” Menezes said.

“I thought he was very tired, probably because he has played a lot of games recently. A player isn’t a machine. They need time to recover.”