Brazil's technicians OKs practice in Offenbach (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-06-08 09:27 The Brazilian national
football team's technical staff agreed on Wednesday to hold an open practice on
Thursday in the Offenbach stadium, as FIFA demanded.
The staff had criticized on Tuesday the bad conditions of the pitch and
indicated it could cancel the practice.
The technical staff declared that they were still not pleased with the field,
but added that the practice could not be postponed or transferred, because the
team has no other dates available. The major concern is with the pitch area near
the goals, where the field is not properly leveled.
According to FIFA's regulations, each team playing in the World Cup must
allow fans to freely attend at least one practice in the region where the team
is based. On Wednesday, around 25,000 tickets for the practice in Offenbach were
distributed in 72 minutes.
It was Brazil's second practice at the Altkoniblick Sports Facility in
Konigstein, Germany. As Tuesday, the players exercised and participated in a
tactical practice.
After the practice, star striker Ronaldinho said he was concerned with the
opponent team's rough play during the World Cup matches.
"It's important that the referees are severe," said the striker, yet adding
Brazil is prepared for hard games.
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