Third bite at Copa cherry for Brazil

• CAMPANA, July 11, 2011 (AFP) - After two false starts Brazil are out to ensure it is a case of third time lucky at the Copa America as they target the win they need over Ecuador to reach the quarter-finals.
  
  Draws with Venezuela and then Paraguay, where substitute Fred rescued a last-ditch point, have left the five-times world and eight-times continental champions chasing the Venezuelans in their group.
  
  Whereas the minnows have qualified after seeing off the Ecuadorians in their second game, Brazil's failure to conjure their customary magic so far means they have hard work ahead of them on Wednesday in Cordoba.
  
  By the time the auriverde take to the field they will know the outcome of the Paraguayans' encounter with Venezuela in Salta, which kicks off two hours earlier.
  
  A draw for the Brazilians and a Paraguayan win over Venezuela could dump out Mano Menezes' side although his budding samba stars insist that they will now seek to bring on the jogo bonito that the world associates with them.
  
  "Everyone has to give it their all and show why they are in the Brazilian team," skipper and defender Lucio told reporters at the team hotel.
  
  Lucio added Brazil had to "get serious and take responsibility" for ensuring they up their game.
  
  The auriverde, on a hattrick of Copa titles, at least no longer have to suffer unflattering comparisons with their women's side after the latter's World Cup exit on penalties at the hands of the USA.
  
  But they are fast running out of excuses for their poor form in Argentina and Menezes says they have to open up and play their game.
  
  "We will play to win - that's what we need and that's what we'll go all out for," Menezes insists, while continuing to stress that he is primarily moulding a team for the 2014 World Cup on home soil - the first time Brazil will play hosts since 1950.
  
  As is the fate of all Brazilian coaches across the generations, Menezes is under enormous pressure to satisfy his nation's craving for success
  
  "If we don't win the Copa America they will say it is a failure as football is like that (but) Brazil has a team which is a blend of youth and experience and we are preparing it for 2014," he insisted.
  
  
  "Anyway, we shall get through" to the quarter-finals, he forecast. "The players know how to deal with pressure."
  
  Asked to comment on the performances of Santos star Neymar, who was expected to use the event as aplatform to show he is his country's new nascent superstar but who has not yet found his feet, Menezes said:
  "He has a lot of promise. But it's the first time for him at a major event.
  
  "He has to learn to find space and to look up and pass to a teammate. He is still full of quality and he has shown that with Santos" he added in reference to his performances in helping his club win the Copa Libertadores.
  
  Possible lineups of the teams:
  
  Brazil: 1-Julio Cesar, 2-Daniel Alves, 3-Lucio, 4-Thiago Silva e 6-André Santos, 5-Lucas Leiva, 8-Ramires, 10-Ganso and 7-Robinho or 20-Jádson; 9-Alexandre Pato and 11-Neymar. Coach: Mano Menezes.
  
  Ecuador: 1-Marcelo Elizaga, 13-Néicer Reasco, 19-Norberto Araujo, 3-Frickson Erazo, 10-Walter Ayoví; 14-Segundo Castillo, 6-Cristian Noboa, 7-Michel Arroyo and 8-Edison Méndez; 11-Christian Benítez and 9-Felipe Caicedo. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.
  
  The stars of the game:
  
  Brazil: The "canary" team has the most wanted played of the worldwide football, who has been wanted by the European market, Neymar. The 19-year-old striker  is the bet of the new national team, containing young players, but high quality. Another young talent is Paulo Henrique Ganso. Ganso, who plays for Santos, same as Neymar, is responsible for lead in his back the shirt 10, which once was Pele’s. Alexandre Pato, Daniel Alves and Julio Cesar are other great players of the team.
  
  Ecuador: In the Ecuadorian they have as its biggest star Antonio Valencia. Manchester United midfielder has been evolving every year his football and becoming one of the best players in South America, and even after a serious injury last year, he has fully recovered to lead Ecuador. Other stars are Christian Noboa and Felipe Caicedo.
  
  Curiosities of the Confrontation:
  
  - This confrontation has happened 27 times, with 22 wins for Brazil, Ecuador has two wins and three draws. Brazil has 84 goals and Ecuador scored 20 times.
  
  - For the Copa America were 12 matches with 11 wins and a draw for Brazil. Brazil scored 48 times and Ecuador scored nine goals.
  
  - The top scorer of the clash in the Copa America is Ademir de Menezes with five goals.
  
  - Ecuador never beat Brazil in the Copa America.
  
  - Marcelo Elizaga, goalkeeper of Ecuador, is the oldest player in this edition of the Copa America, 39.
  
  - Defender and captain of the Brazilian team, Lucio is the most capped player between the squad with 101 games. Yet he had never played in a Copa America.
  
  - Ecuador has never won the Copa America. The team has participated 25 times.
  
  - Ecuador is the holder of the worst defeat of all time in the Copa America. The team lost by 12-0 to Argentina in 1942.
  
  The last duel:
  
  In the last duel, Brazil and Ecuador were in a tie in a match valid for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. The draw by 1-1, held in Quito, was in 2009. Brazil's goal was scored by Julio Baptista, and Ecuador’s goal was scored by Christian Noboa.

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