Oscar rounds on critics after 'dream' start

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Oscar rounds on critics after 'dream' start

ODD ANDERSEN / AFP

BRAZIL:-- Oscar took a dig at his critics on Thursday after delivering a "dream," goal-scoring performance in Brazil's 3-1 World Cup-opening win over Croatia.

The 22-year-old had been under pressure in the buildup with many Brazilian media calling for him to be replaced by Chelsea teammate Willian.

But he recovered from a nervy start to set up Neymar for Brazil's first goal, and then completed the win with a brilliant solo strike in injury time.

Oscar, who took time away from Brazil's preparations to welcome his first child, later told reporters that the only man whose opinion mattered was the manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"The only person who can take me out of the team is Big Phil," said Oscar, using Scolari's nickname. "What you (journalists) say doesn't matter much. What matters is the opinion of the coach."

After Brazil went behind to an own goal, Oscar's hard work set up Neymar's equaliser when he won the ball from two Croatian players in midfield and put the striker into space.

The Chelsea man's goal was a peach, coming after he ran at the Croatian defence in a solo counter-attack and toe-poked past goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.

"To make my debut in the World Cup playing so well, anyone would dream about that, but I have to keep my feet on the ground," he said.

"We still have two games to play in this round and I hope to play well again in the next one."

Oscar's performance was so good that Scolari, perhaps mindful of the criticism he has received, said he deserved the man-of-the-match award as much as two-goal hero Neymar.

But Oscar modestly said there was no doubting who was the team's shining light.

"I have a good relationship with Neymar, on the field as well as off it. He's a very cheeky and he has everything to be a star as well," he said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-13

[HeavyDrinker]

I hope he's been mistranslated. What he meant to say was;

'We were very lucky. We were being played off the park in the second half and couldn't get hold of the ball until the ref dug us out of it (twice). We were also lucky that they forgot to bring their goalkeeper and bought a roll of carpet instead."

[hanno]

Agree with you there, the Brazilians had more than a little luck (and a "sympathetic" ref) to avoid ending up with egg on their faces.

[HeavyDrinker]

I was going to call it a night towards the end of the first half when Brazil looked like they were all over Croatia though changed my mind after the first ten mins of the second half when it looked like Croatia were really in with a shout and Brazil were Playing like Hyde United reserves on a rainy Tuesday night away at Droylesden.

So much for their much vaunted 'flair' and 'beautiful football'; didn't see much of that last night.

[hanno]

Having said that, opening matches must be tough like hell, especially when the team is widely expected to carry the trophy.

[jellydog]

Having said that, opening matches must be tough like hell, especially when the team is widely expected to carry the trophy.

True that.

Loads of talent on the Brazil squad but they do look a bit toothless up front. Reminds me a little of Spain four years ago. No matter how much midfield talent you possess they can't all play at the same time. But then Spain won it, so...

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Having said that, opening matches must be tough like hell, especially when the team is widely expected to carry the trophy.

Good point this, huge pressure on Brazil. It was important that they went in level at half time after going behind in the opening game.

The pressure will only intensify as the tournament goes on. It will interesting to see how team, and especially Neymar deal with it. Neymar is only 22 remember and this is his first true major tournament for Brazil.