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We Dance? Brazilian flak police praised for World Cup shenanigans – Sport
World Cup
DOHA: Brazil‘s players have divided opinion after celebrating their goals in a 4-1 World Cup win over South Korea with some wacky dance moves, even with their coach getting in on the act.
South Korea
The pre-tournament favorites put on a fearsome display of attacking soccer on Monday to send South Korea home and set up a quarterfinal in Qatar with 2018 runners-up Croatia.
Vinicius Junior and Neymar
Tite’s men took the lead in the seventh minute through Vinicius Junior and Neymar scored from the penalty spot on his return after an ankle injury in which the Koreans were outplayed.
But it was the manner of the exuberant in-game celebrations that caught the attention of many, with the Brazilians unleashing a series of choreographed dance moves.
Manchester United
“Look, I’ve never seen so much dancing, it’s like watching Strictly,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said, referring to a popular British television show in which celebrities compete in a dance competition.
“I just can’t believe what I’m seeing, I really can’t,” added the famous scathing TV commentator.
“I don’t like this, I think it’s really disrespectful to the opposition.”
Even Tite
Even Tite did a jig with his players in front of his bench after Richarlison scored a graceful third for Brazil in the 29th minute.
The Tottenham forward said they had been practicing their dance moves.
“This joyful and happy atmosphere is important, the joy of the teacher infects us on the field,” he said about the coach.
Tite, 61, also defended the festivities.
“There are always spiteful people who will understand it as disrespectful,” he said.
South Korea
“I told the players to hide me a bit, I know about visibility. I didn’t want it to have any other interpretation than the joy of the goal, the result, the performance, but not a lack of respect for the rival or (South Korea coach) Paulo Bento, whom I respect a lot.”
Alexi Lalas
Alexi Lalas, the former United States stalwart who played in the 1994 World Cup, said he was totally on board with the colorful celebrations.
Fox Sports
He told Fox Sports: “If you’re someone who frowns and is grumpy and grumpy about soccer players dancing after scoring a goal, or Brazilian players dancing after scoring a goal, and you have the wrong concept of what sportsmanship is. …then I feel sorry for you.
“I feel sorry for the life you live that has no joy.
“If you want to dance, if you want to sing, if you want to run like crazy, do whatever you want to celebrate the greatest moment of our beautiful game.”
But Graeme Souness
But Graeme Souness, another famously no-nonsense British pundit, was not about to accept it.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone runs through one of these Brazilians,” said the former Liverpool midfielder.
Published in Alba, December 7, 2022
