Brazil had been by no means involved about shedding towards England within the 2002 World Cup quarter-final, regardless of going 1-0 down when Michael Owen scored within the twenty third minute.
With the likes of Ronaldo , Rivaldo , Ronaldinho , Cafu and Roberto Carlos forming a star-studded Brazil facet, the Selecao knew they’d the standard to show issues round in Japan on the Shizuoka Stadium.
Roque Junior began that match for Brazil at centre-back, overcoming that early setback to maintain England out for the remainder of the sport, permitting the gifted forward-line to show issues round.
Brazil by no means feared shedding to England in 2002, even after going a purpose down or shedding Ronaldinho to a crimson card
Roque Junior battles with Michael Owen within the quarter-final (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“I didn’t panic, as a result of there was numerous time left within the recreation,” Roque Junior completely tells FourFourTwo . “We’d already come from 1-0 behind in our opening match towards Turkey , so I knew we had the power to show the match round. It was nearly staying calm, preserving focus and sticking to our plan. England had been a powerful staff, however we didn’t lose composure and, in the long run, our perception in ourselves paid off.”
Certainly, Rivaldo levelled the scores simply earlier than half-time, earlier than Ronaldinho scored a free-kick he undoubtedly did/did not – relying on who you ask – imply. Roque Junior actually did not anticipate his team-mate to be making an attempt to lob David Seaman from such an unbelievable distance.
Ronaldinho celebrates scoring towards England (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“I used to be undoubtedly anticipating a cross,” Roque Junior provides. “However Ronaldinho had determined to shoot and it turned out to be the fitting determination. He says to this present day that he meant it, and I imagine him. It was an unimaginable purpose. I had the very best view of it, being within the field, and it’s one thing I’ll always remember. We deserved that purpose as a result of we’d been the higher staff, and it was an enormous morale increase. Beating England wasn’t simple, however that recreation gave us much more perception in ourselves.”
Ronaldinho’s crimson card with 35 minutes left of the sport did little to cease Brazil’s confidence both.
“England’s model of play made it simpler for us to defend, even with 10 males,” Roque Junior says. “They relied closely on lengthy balls and we had tall defenders who may deal with it. We dropped again a bit extra after Ronaldinho’s crimson card, however England didn’t create many actual possibilities. Their technique performed into our palms, and we managed to carry on with out an excessive amount of concern of shedding.”
That 2-1 victory ensured Brazil progressed to the semi-finals, with a 1-0 win over Turkey organising a last towards Germany in Yokohama. Roque Junior performed in six of Brazil’s seven video games that event, lacking simply the ultimate group recreation towards Costa Rica .
Brazil have fun their 2002 World Cup last win (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Naturally, the 2-0 win within the last stands out most for the previous centre-back, commending his team-mates for managing to beat the ultimate loss from 4 years prrevious.
“The ultimate is probably the most vivid reminiscence, after all,” he tells FFT . “Changing into world champion in your nation is an incomparable feeling.
“The start of our journey was additionally vital. There was a lot stress on us as a result of Brazil had misplaced the ultimate in 1998, which elevated expectations. Veteran gamers like Roberto Carlos, Cafu Rivaldo and Ronaldo had been very important for us. They’d been within the ’98 last defeat to France and had been decided to win this time.
“Their focus and willpower motivated us youthful gamers. I realized hundreds from them. Each coaching session was intense. That group was targeted, and it was clear from the beginning that we had one purpose: profitable the World Cup.”
