Scolari slams critics, tells fans Brazil have one hand on the cup

Peter Jenson, dpa

Coach Felipe Scolari on Thursday told his critics to "go to hell," and insisted that "Brazil still have one hand on the World Cup."

The host-nation's coach defended his decision to sit down with a small group of journalists after the narrow win over Chile, and his use of a physiologist to help his nervy players.

"Brazil still has its hand on the cup. There are seven steps and now we are going onto the fifth step," Scolari said.

He also said his team would struggle less against Colombia in the quarter final on Friday in Fortaleza.

"Chile have real strength and spirit as a group but Colombia have better players," said the 65-year-old coach. 

"They are a better team but they don't go to war. Our wars are with Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. The matches against Colombia are happy friendly matches there is no big rivalry. It's difficult against Colombian but there is no war."

Scolari did go to war with the local press after being criticised by reporters for selective briefing of journalists after the win against Chile. Reporters who were not included were unhappy.

"Jealousy among Men? Please! Men should not be jealous. These are my friends. If you don't mind me talking to them then OK and if you don't like it then you can go to hell.

"I have always spoken to my friends about football. And the conversation was not about who plays or does not play. I don't just talk about Plan A, B or C. Sometimes I want to talk about atomic bombs or whatever."

Asked again if he regretted his private chat in Brazil's Teresopolis bunker he said: "No. I've always done that and if people don't like it then they can go to hell."

Scolari will hope his feisty performance inspires his players to something similar on Friday in the Estadio Castelao.

"Five of the last-16 games went to extra time and that shows how close it is now. You no longer have the certainty that team A will go through easily.

"Argentina beat Iran 1-0 and when did the goal come? It came right at the end. These teams practice playing in 50 metres of the pitch and it's hard to play against that."

Alongside his coach, Thiago Silva echoed the sentiments that Colombia would be easier to deal with than Chile. He said: "They have a very good defence. I like Mario Yepes and I played alongside Cristian Zapata at Milan. We respect them as a team."

Thiago had to defend his tears after the Chile match and his failure to take one of Brazil's penalties in the last round.

Scolari said there had been huge over-reaction to the way players cried after the dramatic victory and defended his use of psychologist Regina Brandao to help them cope with the pressure. 

"It was reported that we had an emergency session with a psychologist. What rubbish. Our work with the psychologist is preplanned and she will be back with us on Sunday."