Courtesy: FIFA.com

Brazil turn to De Oliveira to revive fortunes

(FIFA.com) 06 May 2005

After dominating the sport since its inception and winning the first three FIFA Futsal World Championships, Brazil's defeat at the hands of Spain in the Final of Guatemala 2000 was a painful reminder that the rest of the world was catching up fast. Four years later, the Auriverde's aura of invincibility was well and truly shattered after another demoralizing loss to the Iberians, this time in the semi-final of Chinese Taipei 2004.

The Brazilian Futsal Confederation (CBFS) realised that if the country stood any chance of returning to the top of a sport it had once dominated so completely, then major changes would be necessary. It was this initiative that led to Paulo Cesar de Oliveira being offered the top job in Brazilian futsal.

De Oliveira was under contract with Spanish side Playas de Castellon when he received word of the offer. Unable to turn down his country, yet unwilling to walk out on his club, the coach proposed an arrangement whereby he could see out his contract in Spain while simultaneously taking charge of the national side. When FIFA.com caught up with the hardworking coach recently, we asked him about this apparent conflict of interest and, of course, about his plans to return his country to a position of pre-eminence in the sport.

Will you be able to coach Playas de Castellón and the Brazil national futsal team at the same time?

Yes, fortunately both parts reached an agreement. The Confederation will allow me to coach Playas de Castellón until June, though that period could be extended until September if the team makes it to the final of the Spanish league. If that happens, Marcus Aurelio Sorato will replace me momentarily. I feel relieved, since I will accomplish my dream of coaching the national team without having to give up my word.

The futsal press seem to think that you are the person best equipped to bring back the glory days in Brazil. How do you feel about that?

Well, while it's an honour to have been chosen, I'm not some kind of saviour. There are many other coaches equally equipped to do the job. I'm simply a part of an ambitious project by the CBFS to improve Brazilian futsal, which is what interested me most about their offer. They have shown with their plans to build a new training facility that the national team is their priority. They are also committed to making the sport fully professional and not just an offshoot of the 11-a-side game.

Until a few years ago, Brazil were the undisputed kings of futsal. What happened to make them lose top spot?

Another country came along that performed even better, and that was Spain. Their futsal project didn't start recently, but way back in 1996 after they lost the final of the World Championship to Brazil. They realised back then that they had the makings of a great team and their federation threw their full weight behind it. That's how they got the team they have today. Brazil, by contrast, thought for many years that they could dominate the game indefinitely by virtue of their talented players. In Spain, futsal has become an independent sport, and it doesn't surprise me that they are currently the game's best side.

It's unusual to hear that kind of self-criticism...

(Pauses) Look, it's the results on the pitch have made people ask whether or not we have the wealth of talent here that we all imagine. If we have that talent, then the key will be to harness it and make it into a team. Playing for the national side must be a pleasure and not an obligation, as it has often appeared in recent years. Look at countries like Argentina, Russia, Portugal and Spain. These sides know you can only achieve things as a team.

How do you plan to achieve that?

First by reformulating our planning for the next World Cup. Everyone needs to realize that there are no guaranteed places. We can't afford to have talented individuals in the side if they come at a cost of defeat. Anyone who doesn't agree with this team ethos can go and play tennis or some other individual sport. Then there is the issue of how to develop the new generation of players, those 17 and 18-year-olds that are leaving to play in Europe. We can't ask them not to go, but we'll try to convince some of them to stay in Brazil a bit longer, or to sign shorter contracts if they do go overseas. To achieve this, futsal needs a lot of private investment, and the state needs to help us make that happen.

There are certain players, like Lenisio, who did not play at Chinese Taipei 2004. Will they be considered for selection?

Lenisio had a problem at the time with the authorities, but that's all in the past now. He called me and we've talked it over. Since then, there have been major changes at the CBFS. So yes, I'm sure he'll play again. He is the top linkman and goal-scorer in Spain, if not the world. As I said, everyone will be considered, even the youngest, who I'm hoping will push the more experienced players hard for places. That type of competition will be key to our future success.

What do you think of Falcao's intention to pursue a career in professional football?

I respect it. Perhaps some people find it hard to understand why a 27-year-old player who spent his entire career in futsal would want to do that. But he was determined to give it a go and might have regretted it if he didn't. Of course, like everyone else, he will now have to fight for his place.

Apart from Argentina, the reigning continental champions, can you see any other South American side improving sufficiently to become a top international side?

At the last South American championship, I was impressed by Colombia and Venezuela. They have some really good players. If those teams get the backing they need, they have the potential to become quality sides. Paraguay seem to be going backwards not forwards, but Argentina are doing very well. They have good players and a very solid team. That's what I'm aiming for: a strong and united group with a real hunger for glory.