Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
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Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)

Brazil coach Dorival Junior has identified balance and consistency as the keys to success ahead of Monday's Copa America opener against Costa Rica.

Dorival, who took over in January and has only coached four games, admitted that the Brazilian squad still lacked on-field stability, which he said was natural given their short time together.

"I have to find a balance for a team that was put together only three months ago, and after a certain period of 15 or 20 days of work they have to find themselves again," he said at a press conference on Sunday.

"In football you don't skip preparation phases in training, but that's why we try to accelerate each one of them to have a consistent and confident squad that can then use the individuality of its players to create opportunities."

The coach announced a starting line-up that included two new faces, Real Madrid center back Eder Militao and Atletico Mineiro full back Guilherme Arana.

"The starting line-up will have Militao and Arana. In every game, if necessary, there will be one or two changes. All the players are ready. None of them are below our expectations. We are prepared for any situation," the coach added.

New Real Madrid signing Endrick will not start against Costa Rica and is expected to come on in the second half, as Dorival called for "a bit of patience" with the 17-year-old striker.

"It's something that will happen naturally. It might not take long because he is extremely skillful. I'm in a hurry to get him on the pitch, but you have to have a certain balance. He has excellent skills and is one of the most promising players."

Brazil will also face Colombia and Paraguay in Group D.



PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has finalized the fight card for its highly anticipated "Battle of the Giants" event, set to take place in Riyadh on October 19, SPA reported.
The main event will feature a heavyweight clash between mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Francis Ngannou and reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. This title fight will determine the inaugural PFL Super Champion.
In the co-main event, women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will face off against Larissa Pacheco, the two-division PFL champion, in a highly anticipated match to crown the greatest fighter in MMA history.
The card also includes a rematch between middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, who also faced off in 2023, with Eplin securing victory via technical knockout.
Former featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will square off against rising star Paul Hughes in another exciting matchup. Hughes, with an impressive professional record of 11 wins and one loss, is considered a dangerous contender in the featherweight division.
The "Battle of the Giants" promises to be an action-packed event featuring top-tier MMA talent.