Sport - Football

Trust turns Scolari into a winner

YOKOHAMA June 30. Just as much as tactical cunning, it was trust that turned coach Luiz Felipe Scolari into a World Cup winner.

Scolari continued to believe in Ronaldo when most others had given up on the injury-prone striker. He put him at the heart of Brazil's attack and on Sunday Ronaldo paid back in kind with both goals in the win over Germany.

``What created a big difference was the individual quality of each player and that at certain times was the factor that brought superiority,'' said Scolari.

``Champions,'' an elated Scolari shouted as he waved the Brazilian flag. He had made sure the most talented team on earth lived up to the motto printed on its flag: ``order and progress.''

The victory capped an amazing turnaround for the 53-year-old coach, whose job was in acute danger just a few months ago. As he celebrated, he kissed the bald pate of Roberto Carlos, hugged others, and finally got his hands on the gold World Cup trophy.

``Alegria,'' said Scolari.

Missing Ronaldinho in his ``Triple R'' attack during the 1-0 semifinal win over Turkey, Scolari reverted to the best lineup again for the final Sunday.

His defense held during a tough first half and Ronaldo made the difference in the second.

``The defense was so heavily criticised, and it was not that bad,'' said Scolari, bringing back memories of the qualification campaign. ``Maybe the best defense in the world.''

All memories of a dismal qualification campaign in South America had vanished in a month of sparkling soccer that brought back memories of the best of Brazilian teams of the past. Just days earlier, Scolari recalled how he had ``a rope'' hanging around his neck in December.

Scolari was brought in a year ago to fix a faulty side that had suffered a record six defeats in the qualifying round and lost to lowly Honduras in the Copa America. In Japan, the players played like a tight unit, handpicked by Scolari.

``The secret is the union of the boys, the way they give themselves.''

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