Gilberto likely to start against Japan
June 21, 2006
Taken from this strange sport site:
Gilberto to start against Japan
With Brazil already qualified, and Emerson one yellow card away from suspension, Gilberto could start in Brazil’s final group game against Japan.
Parreira said he might rest injured and yellow-carded players from the game against the three-time Asian Cup winners.
Midfielder Gilberto Silva and defender Cicinho were seen likely to make the starting line-up.
In Tuesday’s training, Gilberto Silva linked up in midfield with Kaka and Juninho with Ronaldinho. The Arsenal player could come in for either Ze Roberto or Emerson, who has a yellow card.
So there you go – Gilberto to start. He has also been telling The Sun not to worry about Brazil’s average form in the first two games.
Gilberto, 29, said: “When we win people criticise and say we do not play well.
“Yet if we play well people still expect more from us because it is Brazil.
“Everyone wants Brazil to score a lot of goals in every game. It’s not as simple as that but we’ve done well.”
Brazil picked up an unconvincing 1-0 win over Croatia in their opening game before edging past Australia on Sunday.
But Gilberto is confident they will get better as the tournament progresses.
The Arsenal midfielder added: “The game against Australia was difficult.
“We controlled it and now I think we will improve as that performance was better than our first one against Croatia.
“Brazil can never relax. There is a lot of pressure and we need to be ready.
“Everybody expects a lot of us but we are all used to it.”
Reeee-spect. Go Berty.