BRAZIL 2014: Can Brazil win without helping Neymar?

Brazil forward Neymar and Chile’s midfielder Francisco Silva vie for the ball the Round of 16 football match between Brazil and Chile at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June. PHOTO | AFP 

In Summary

However, the image of a weeping and clearly hobbled Neymar, having receiving numerous heavy challenges throughout the game, begs the question how long Brazil can continue to depend solely on the Barcelona man in attacking areas?

Fortaleza. As Brazil erupted when Chile’s Gonzalo Jara struck the post to hand La Selecao an agonising passage to the World Cup quarter-finals on penalties, their star player Neymar collapsed in the centre-circle in tears.

His reaction a mixture of joy, relief and exhaustion, the 22-year-old is carrying the burden of a expectant nation of 200 million people as well as anyone could have hoped.

He has scored four times in as many games and also coolly slotted home Brazil’s fifth and final penalty in the shootout.

However, the image of a weeping and clearly hobbled Neymar, having receiving numerous heavy challenges throughout the game, begs the question how long Brazil can continue to depend solely on the Barcelona man in attacking areas?

“We really suffered. It was pure emotion. My tears after the game were of happiness,” Neymar said after the Chile game.

“Today I had everything. I took a knock, I had cramp. Now all I want to do is rest.”

Neymar will be fit for Friday’s quarter-final against Colombia, the Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed despite injuries to his thigh and hamstring.

Who will start alongside him remains a question though as neither of their two principal centre-forwards Fred and Jo have impressed in the competition so far.

Fred does have one goal to his name, a header from point-blank range into an empty net against Group A whipping boys Cameroon, but was dragged off for Jo with Brazil in need of a goal against both Chile and Mexico.

The Fluminense striker has come in for some fierce criticism, most notably from former England captain and fellow number nine Alan Shearer.

“I just don’t understand why Brazil are still picking him,” Shearer said after Fred’s first two disappointing performances.

“He doesn’t move, he doesn’t shoot and he’s dragging the team down. I don’t know if Brazil should change the system or play Neymar as a false nine, but the fact is that Fred is not the answer for what they are doing now.