Losing first game of tournament is terrible, says Scolari

Brasilia: Losing the first match of a tournament is terrible, said Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari on the eve of the Confederations Cup opener against Japan.

Scolari was in charge of hosts Portugal when they lost the opening game of Euro 2004 to Greece and his side went on to lose again to the same opponents in the final three weeks later.

"It is absolutely terrible to play the first match at home and lose it, it really is," the Brazilian told a packed news conference at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium on Friday.

"When Portugal lost the opening game to Greece in Porto in 2004 it was awful. You have nine points you are playing for in the first phase and losing that makes everything difficult, you create a bad situation for yourself.

"We have to win this opening match," added Scolari. "I do not agree with people who say Japan are not a skilful team with no history.

"They are the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup so they will be very difficult opponents. If we lose...we will have to do what we did in Portugal and win the next two games to qualify."

Scolari said he did not feel under any particular pressure apart from the typical demands made on Brazil when they play at home.

He brushed aside widespread criticism of his team following an average set of results since he returned as Brazil coach in November, 10 years after leading them to the World Cup crown in Japan in 2002.

"I am less anxious than I used to be when I was younger because I have learnt to control it and I sleep at the end of the day very easily," said Scolari.

"Of course there is pressure on Brazil but that is because we are always regarded as one of the big teams and are expected to challenge for the title.

"Playing in our own country is no different. Yes we have had some problems leading up to the tournament but in the two or three weeks we have been together we have largely overcome them."

Scolari said he wants the Brazilian supporters to get behind his side and put pressure on the players to succeed.

"The fans can make a difference, they can put pressure on us which motivates and helps us," he said.

"I am very confident we will do well. I have seen the attitude of the players, it is very positive.

"We get a lot of respect for our football outside Brazil, now it is time for us to get some respect at home and I think we will during this tournament.

Much of the focus will be on the 21-year-old who has moved from Santos to Barcelona for 57 million euros.

However, Scolari said that while he is an outstanding player who can do anything with the ball, Neymar will improve even more when he learns to develop as a true team player.

"He is a 21-year-old player, he is an idol to the Brazilian fans and he is my idol too," Scolari told a packed news conference at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium where the opening game takes place.

"He is someone who can dictate the game, he can run, pass, he can get past opponents. But he will become even better when he plays as a team player, but this can take time.

"Right now I am very pleased with what he has done for the team, he has done everything asked of him, but he can and will get better as he gets older and more experienced."

Scolari said Brazil will start their Confederations Cup campaign against Japan on Saturday with the same side that beat France 3-0 in their final friendly in Porto Alegre on Sunday with Neymar aiming to fashion an opening win for the hosts.

Mexico and Italy are the other teams in Group A and play their first match on Sunday at the Maracana.