Brazil shootout hero Júlio César: I have won the country’s trust back

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/28/brazil-shootout-hero-julio-cesar

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Júlio César, Brazil’s hero in the penalty shootout win against Chile, reflected on the prize of a World Cup quarter-final and said he felt he had won back the country’s trust after being the scapegoat in South Africa four years ago.

Júlio César saved Chile’s first two penalties and referred immediately to his mistake in the quarter-final against Holland at the last World Cup. “After what happened in 2010 I see now how many people are cheering for me and wanting the best for me,” he said. “After the last World Cup to be labelled as the villain was very hard for me.

“I got the support of my family but this win allows me have the necessary strength to go forward. Now, I just hope I can celebrate with the people of Brazil by kissing the World Cup.

“This was very special after what happened after the last World Cup. I’d like to dedicate this to my mum and dad, the staff and 200 million Brazilians. I apologise if I talk too much. But I am trying to sum up four years’ work here.”

Júlio César, who joined Toronto from Queens Park Rangers in February, had broken down in tears before the shootout and was still visibly emotional as he collected his man-of-the-match award. “Before the penalties Júlio said: ‘Hit them with confidence and I’ll stop three,’” his team-mate Thiago Silva said. “It was preordained. Chile were a great team but we found strength.”*

Luiz Felipe Scolari described the game as a “war” and “very emotional” and identified Neymar for special acclaim for not being deterred by a thigh injury he suffered in an early challenge with Gary Medel. Neymar, he said, would need treatment to face Colombia on Friday. “This was the fourth step,” Scolari said of Brazil’s victory. “There are three more. Then we can reach heaven.”