Published: Jul 09, 2014, 12:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 09, 2014, 12:31 PM (IST)
Belo Horizonte: Jul 9, 2014
Brazil striker Fred has said the team’s 7-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Germany will leave a permanent scar on the Selecao’s players.
“I am very sad and disappointed for the way it happened,” Xinhua quoted Fred as saying. “This was the worst match of our lives.” He added, “A loss like this will mark the careers of all of us. It leaves a scar that we’ll have to carry for the rest of our lives.”
The defeat at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao stadium on Tuesday was Brazil’s first competitive loss on home soil since stumbling 3-1 to Peru in the 1975 Copa America. It was also the heaviest defeat ever suffered by a World Cup host and equalled the Selecao’s biggest losing margin. Fred, who scored just one goal for the tournament, was the target of jeers by Brazil fans when he was substituted for Willian in the 69th minute. He denied being affected by the crowd’s reaction. He also said, “That doesn’t disappoint me and doesn’t make me sad, boos are a part of football. What hurts me is the result.”
