Brazil want to be Confederation Cup champions: Robinho

PRETORIA - Brazilian striker Robinho is hoping that his side will put behind their dismal show in the opening round of Confederation Cup football against Egypt as they gear up for their title defence here.

The Manchester City player noted that Brazil “have already got over the tension” of their debut match, in which they just managed to scrape a 4-3 win through a goal from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Now, they want a convincing win in their next game against the United States, to get to Sunday’s football classic against Italy in the best possible form.

“We are tired, but that doesn’t matter. Tired or not, we will seek to do our best. We have to make the most of this moment that we are with the national team, away from our families, to return to Brazil as champions,” Robinho told DPA in an interview.

When asked whether Brazil are afraid of ending up second in the first round’s Group B, and thus having to play the mighty Spain in the semi-finals, Robinho said a definite no.

“That possibility did not even occur to us,” he said. “We want to be the champions, and those who want to be the champions cannot pick their rivals.”

Ahead of the game against the United States in Pretoria, Robinho praised the rivals for their defence, but still said he hopes he can score his first goal of the tournament in that match.

“I hope my goal will come out in the next game. They have a very strong defence, but every match has its history and we have the quality to score three goals against them,” he said.

Robinho was referring to earlier comments from Brazil coach Carlos Dunga, who noted that in recent years the US side has only rarely let in three goals, as they did in their Confederations Cup debut, 3-1 against Italy.