Big win earns Brazil fans' confidence

The sinking feeling among a legion of die-hard fans has been shrugged off after Brazil dispelled doubts over their tournament credentials with a show, which has brought the wide grin back on the faces of their free-spirited supporters in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

A 4-1 demolition of Cameroon in their last round robin game last night, after a none-too-impressive goalless outing against Mexico, meant the five-time champions were well and truly back.

And with the result, came back the country's confidence in the team, which entered the ongoing edition as one of the firm favourites.

"There has been criticism around the team; they were not able to win the confidence of their many supporters. Because with Brazil, it's not just always the scoreline but the manner in which they play, and they were not able to do that," said Elcio Ramalho, a Brazilian-origin journalist working at Radio France Internationale.
 

"But after today's outing, they have earned the confidence of fans and look to be on their way," he added.

Ramalho's assessment was a far cry from the critical analysis carried out by journal O Globo of Rio de Janeiro and Estado de Sao Paulo a few days back.