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Fri, Mar

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When Brazil won the World Cup for an unprecedented fifth time last week, nine of its countrymen playing their trade in Trinidad and Tobago had little time to celebrate.

Jose Luiz Seabra and eight other players contracted with Vibe CT 105 W Connection all watched the final against Germany together but had to cut short their celebrations because of an important match the same afternoon in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League.

"We couldn't celebrate after the win because we had a game against Arima Fire (won 2-0) the same evening.
"After we (Brazil) scored the first goal we took up our flag and had a ball. We shaked and danced for our country."

Seabra explained that when he and his colleagues watched their people celebrating at home they wished they were there.
"We followed the Brazil party on television after winning, knowing fully well we were in Trinidad.

"I particularly felt great about my country winning because we were considered outsiders to France, Argentina, Italy and Spain."
The win, he said, has opened the door for many more talented Brazilian players and coaches to get big contracts worldwide.

Apart from Seabra, the other Brazilians playing for W Connection are Jose Maria Manoel, Luciano Sato, Ronaldo Viana, Renato Pereira, Gefferson Goulart, Danilo, Manoel Jeisa and Ronaldo da Silva.
"After the first round, we all watched the remaining games together at my house," Seabra noted.

He also mentioned that what made the tournament more exciting was that most of the other players of W Connection were against Brazil winning.
"Most of them we backing Argentina and France and in the final they were supporting Germany.

"After we won, we went to the St Lucians' quarters (seven in all with only two backing Brazil) but they closed the door on us. Nobody came outside."
Commenting on the victorious Brazilian side, Seabra said, he liked the unity.
"Everybody was like a friend. Not only a player.

The coach had a good squad. His choice of players was very good.
"Before the World Cup coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had many problems. The team was plagued with injuries and discord. Brazil nearly did not make it through to the finals. The whole country called for Romario. But Scolari insisted that he was was not calling him up.

There was plenty pressure on him and he said he was sticking with his decision."
Seabra claimed that in all the World Cups that he has watched, Brazil has always played the same way.

"Everybody talks about the defence not good. But our strikers have proved their worth. For me the defenders are not the problem. This is a misconseption. I believe Brazil has a good all round team."

Seabra believes the Brazil-England game was the best performance by Brazil.
"Brazil played nice football and the game was very competitive. I also believe that Ronaldo was the best for me in the World Cup, especially what happened to him over the last two years - enduring knee injuries and operations. People had no trust in Ronaldo but he proved them wrong."

Seabra disclosed that what he learnt from the World Cup was that "as a professional you have to play as simple as possible. You have to mark in defence as well as in attack - you have to do both. And that is what the Brazilians did. I will encourage my players at W Connection to do the same."

Seabra grew up in Bauru, San Paulo, the home of the legendary Pele.
Also from his hometown are Edmilson, Kaka, Cafu, Junior and Ricardinho - five players who played an integral part in the Brazilian victory in Korea/Japan.
Seabra said he and stopper Edmilson played together when he began his professional football career.

Asked if he thinks he will ever be called up on a Brazilian team, Seabra said:
"There are too many good players in Brazil for me to make the national team. For you to be selected someone has to see you playing like in the Italian, Spanish and German leagues. You have to get the attention of the media.

"I certainly would not be seen playing in Trinidad. But I am enjoying my career here."
Zeabra is a 28-year-old midfielder. He turned professional seven year ago, representing Botofogo in the Second Division.
The last team he played for back home before coming to Trinidad was Seara, a First Division side.

Seabra lives with his Brazilian wife Regina and daughter Nathalia, aged one year nine months at his quarters in Savonetta - the home base of all the players of the David John-Williams-owned club.

Seabra is in his third year with Connection.
"Trinidad is my home now. I have spent more time here than anywhere else. When I go to Brazil it is on vacation."


"I love your country. The people I am in contact with are very friendly and peaceful. I also love the climate in Trinidad. It is the same all year round whereas in Brazil it gets very, very hot at times."