Brazil wound up with a rather easy Group A in next summer's World Cup, but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is playing down the perceived ease that this nation should have in getting to the knockout rounds.
"I am satisfied with the draw. But we shall be paying close attention to the opening phase," said Scolari, according to NDTV.
Scolari's team drew Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon in the opening leg; none of the teams are expected to give Brazil much trouble in the opening round. Brazil lost to Mexico in last summer's Olympics but then took down El Tri in the 2013 Confederations Cup group stage. Croatia is in shambles after a poor finish to group qualifiers. The team qualified for the tournament after defeating a mediocre Iceland side in the playoffs. Cameroon has also struggled in 2013 and is not expected to be a major contender next summer.
All indications point toward a first place finish in Group A for Brazil. This would set up a round of 16 date with the runner-up of Group B which features Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia. Many expect Spain and Netherlands to get through to the next round, setting up a tough matchup for Brazil in the second round.
"I am not concerned with the second phase," Scolari said when asked about the prospect of playing Spain or Netherlands in the knockout rounds.
Brazil opens the tournament on June 12 against Croatia before taking on Mexico on June 17 and finishes the group phase against Cameroon on June 23.
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