Scolari remodels team

His rising star Neymar won the Golden Ball award as the best player of the Confederations Cup.

The Brazil striker scored in four of the team’s five games at the World Cup warm-up tournament, including one in the 3-0 win over Spain in Sunday’s final.
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta was given the Silver Ball, and Brazil midfielder Paulinho was the Bronze Ball winner. Spain striker Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot award with his five goals.

Brazil forward Fred was next with the Silver Boot, also with five goals but with more minutes played. Neymar scored four goals and won the Bronze Boot.
Also, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar won the Golden Glove award, and Spain took the Fair Play award.

Scolari, the architect of Brazil’s last World Cup victory in 2002, was the proudest man in the Maracana on Sunday as his remodeled team overwhelmed the fabled Spaniards 3-0 courtesy of two goals from Fred and a sublime effort from Neymar.

With the World Cup on Brazilian soil less than 12 months away, it was a result which will infuse Scolari’s team with belief that a record sixth World Cup crown is there for the taking if all goes to plan next year.

A delighted Scolari however was more circumspect when asked to discuss the significance of his team’s mesmerising display.
“We are still not a team that is complete, we know that we have a good group but we still have to prove a lot. But today, we embarked on the path to 2014,” said Scolari, reappointed seven months ago for a second stint in charge.

“It was fantastic to hear the crowd singing ‘the champions are back’ but a long path stretches ahead of us. Yet I am sure people will now respect Brazil a little more.”
“In the past 30 days we have beaten four former world champions in France (in a pre-event tune-up), Italy, Uruguay and now Spain,” he remarked matter of factly. — AFP.