Brazilian media pile pressure on squad

BRAZIL coach Carlos Alberto Parreira appeared exasperated yesterday as he faced a barrage of questions over why his first team had lost to the reserves in a 40-minute practice match ahead of the World Cup.

Brazilian media place an unusually heavy emphasis on what happens in a practice sessions, which are often broadcast live on television.

Parreira, who has already named his team to face Croatia in the world champions’ opening match tomorrow, has held several games between them and the reserves.