Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho said on Monday that Brazil will be content with a draw in their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
The Selecao will become the first South American team to secure a place at next year’s World Cup in Russia if they beat the Celeste in Montevideo on Thursday.
“It’s going to be difficult and for that reason a draw won’t be a bad result,” Paulinho told reporters.
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“But our aim is to play as well as we can and try to win the match. We have to be mentally strong, calm under pressure and have full concentration, particularly at the start of the game because that’s when the pressure is going to be most intense,” he added.
Paulinho is one of two China-based players in Brazil’s squad (the other being Beijing Guoan midfielder Renato Augusto). Both are expected to start against Uruguay at the Centenario stadium.
Brazil trained with just 14 players at the home of Brazilian Serie A club Corinthians in Sao Paulo on Monday. The rest of the squad was due to arrive on Monday night.
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The Selecao currently head the South American zone World Cup qualifying standings with 27 points from 12 matches. Uruguay are second with 23 points.
(With Inputs From Xinhua)