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Alexandre Pato: Brazil can still win Copa America despite Venezuela draw
The tournament holders were held unexpectedly in their first game, but the AC Milan forward remains upbeat and expects his side to fight to retain their crown this summer
6 Jul 2011 10:35:00
By Gareth McKnight
Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has remained upbeat despite his side's 0-0 draw against Venezuela, and feels the team have learnt their lesson sufficiently to still be a force in the Copa America.
The holders controlled much of the game in the Group B opener but lacked the incision to convert the chances created, but the AC Milan striker remains upbeat about their chances in the tournament.
The 21-year-old told Argentinian news agency Telam: "We all want to do our job and bring Brazil to the top. We did not have much time to train together. But this is just [the] beginning. If we had won in Venezuela, [we] would not be talking about this.
"There are two more [group] games, we will win [them] and will qualify to the quarter-finals. We are all convinced we can win the Cup but the team is new, the coach is new, everything is new."
He added: "We're not concerned about the draw against Venezuela. While we expected a different result, a victory, the other teams [in the group] tied. So the Cup begins again.
"Every game is different. We had a pretty good first half against Venezuela. The only thing missing was a goal. The game against Paraguay will be different [as they] will play us on equal terms. There will be more spaces."
Pato then went on to speak of his specific role within the team, and says he hopes to score more goals in the competition.
"I [will] do what Menezes asks because I want to help the team get three points against Paraguay," he said.
"My role is to secure and keep the ball for the team on the offence. Also, I have an obligation to score goals, because I am the centre forward."
Brazil face Paraguay on Saturday, with the game being played at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba.
| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £24.50 | Draw £32.50 | Brazil £26.00 |
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The holders controlled much of the game in the Group B opener but lacked the incision to convert the chances created, but the AC Milan striker remains upbeat about their chances in the tournament.
The 21-year-old told Argentinian news agency Telam: "We all want to do our job and bring Brazil to the top. We did not have much time to train together. But this is just [the] beginning. If we had won in Venezuela, [we] would not be talking about this.
"There are two more [group] games, we will win [them] and will qualify to the quarter-finals. We are all convinced we can win the Cup but the team is new, the coach is new, everything is new."
He added: "We're not concerned about the draw against Venezuela. While we expected a different result, a victory, the other teams [in the group] tied. So the Cup begins again.
"Every game is different. We had a pretty good first half against Venezuela. The only thing missing was a goal. The game against Paraguay will be different [as they] will play us on equal terms. There will be more spaces."
Pato then went on to speak of his specific role within the team, and says he hopes to score more goals in the competition.
"I [will] do what Menezes asks because I want to help the team get three points against Paraguay," he said.
"My role is to secure and keep the ball for the team on the offence. Also, I have an obligation to score goals, because I am the centre forward."
Brazil face Paraguay on Saturday, with the game being played at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba.
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