Brazil make perfect start at football 5-a-side worlds

The three-time Paralympic and reigning world champions put in a strong display against Turkey and Colombia, while Japan, Argentina and China picked up their first wins. 18 Nov 2014
Imagen
Members of the Brazilian team singing their national anthem during the victory ceremony

Members of the Brazilian team singing their national anthem during the victory ceremony at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, holding up their Brazilian flag. In 2014, they were crowned world champion for the fourth time.

ⒸLieven Coudenys
By IPC

Brazil, who are in pursuit of their fourth world title after winning in 1998, 2000 and 2010, sit top of their group

Brazil’s football 5-a-side team have made a winning start to their world title defence at the 2014 International Blind Sport Association (IBSA) Blind Football World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

After three days of competition, all teams have now played at least one game including Brazil, the three-time Paralympic champions, who started their Group B campaign with a 1-0 win over European bronze medallists Turkey thanks to a strike from Cassio Reis.

In their second game, a brace from Reis and a goal from Ricardinho helped the reigning world champions to a 3-1 victory over Colombia.

Brazil, who are in pursuit of their fourth world title after winning in 1998, 2000 and 2010, sit top of their group ahead of Beijing 2008 Paralympic silver medallists China, who recorded a 1-0 victory over Colombia in their first and only game so far.

Despite only playing one game so far, two-time World Champions Argentina sit top of Group C after a 1-0 victory against European champions Spain.

Germany are second with two points, after drawing 0-0 with South Korea and 1-1 against Spain.

Much to the delight of the home fans, Japan sit top of Group A after a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the opening game of the competition on Sunday (16 November), and a 0-0 draw with newcomers Morocco on Tuesday (18 November).

It has been a miserable start for European silver medallists France, who drew 0-0 with Morocco in their first game, before losing 3-0 to Paraguay.

For more information, visit the 2014 IBSA Blind Football World Championships website.