Brazil’s football 5-a-side stars set sights on glory in Rio

“Expectations are high, since we have never played in a competition on this scale at home,” said Vasconcelos. “We can’t wait to get the ball rolling and hear the crowd cheering us on.”

They have won every Paralympic gold medal available in their sport and have never lost a match on the biggest stage, but the desire inside Brazil’s football 5-a-side team has not waned.

As they celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their first Paralympic success – victory at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games in Greece - the Brazilians could not help but feel excited about the prospect of defending their crown on home soil at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“As the Paralympic Games get closer, we can’t wait for them to begin,” said star forward Jefinho, who was part of the gold medal winning teams at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“It will be a great moment for all of us, probably the most important in our careers, and we are going to do everything to win for the Brazilian people, who will be there, cheering us on.”

Brazil are now coached by Fábio Vasconcelos, their former goalkeeper who won three Paralympic golds, starting with the cherished win over South American rivals Argentina in the final of Athens 2004.

“Expectations are high, since we have never played in a competition on this scale at home,” said Vasconcelos. “We can’t wait to get the ball rolling and hear the crowd cheering us on.”

The Athens champions were honoured last week at the legendary Maracana Stadium, before a Brazilian Cup match between Maracana and America de Natal, receiving commemorative plaques from former Barcelona and Brazil star Romario.

“I have great memories of winning Brazil’s gold medal in Athens,” said winger Marquinhos, 31.

“It brought many things to our sport: more funding, more recognition from sponsors and improved training conditions.”

The team, which also boats three world titles and six Copa Americas, has won every competition it has entered over the past seven years.

Training has now began in Niteroi, a city across from Rio de Janeiro, for the upcoming 2015 Football 5-a-side World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, between 13-25 November.

“We have only one objective, and that’s the title,” said Jefinho.

“The World Championship is the second most important competition for 5-a-side and we have been preparing since the beginning of the year, training hard to reach 100 per cent fitness for Rio 2016.

“Our sights have been set on the Paralympic medal since the beginning of the cycle and playing just gives us more and more confidence.”

The winning team in Tokyo will book their place at Rio 2016, although should Brazil win again, the runners-up will qualify, as the host nation’s place is already guaranteed at the Paralympic Games. The remaining six Rio 2016 places will be decided at continental qualifying tournaments in 2015.

For more information on the competition, visit the Football 5-a-side World Championships website.