Ancelotti promises Brazil will bounce back after World Cup exit

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, contracted through to the 2030 World Cup, dismissed any suggestion he would step down. (AFP pic)

EAST RUTHERFORD: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Sunday’s painful World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Erling Haaland’s Norway should be used as “fuel” for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is “the start of a new cycle”.

“Obviously everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don’t think we have had a spectacular World Cup but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today,” Ancelotti said after the 2-1 loss at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Haaland scored two late goals for Norway in a match which hinged on an early penalty by Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes which was saved. Neymar’s successful spot-kick in injury time was scant consolation.

“You have to digest a defeat like this. This has been a new adventure. Now we need to keep earning our places, keep trying to improve,” added Ancelotti, who was appointed just over a year ago and charged with the task of winning Brazil a record-extending sixth World Cup.

The Italian has a contract through to the next World Cup in 2030 and he quickly dismissed any possible suggestion that he would step down now.

“I don’t think this is the end. I think this is the start of a new cycle,” he insisted.

“I think with the squad they have, Brazil could have competed right to the end of this World Cup, even considering what happened in today’s game.”

Brazil’s wait to win another World Cup will now stretch beyond quarter of a century, with their last title coming in Japan in 2002.

Their last-16 exit here makes this their worst World Cup showing since 1990, when they were beaten at the same stage by Argentina.

“What I can say, what we can do and what we are going to do, is keep working hard for the national team, keep trying to improve and find new ideas,” Ancelotti added.

“I think we have done a good job, but this is football and this is sport. You just have to deal with it, deal with the sadness and the taste of defeat.

“I am very much used to this and we will handle this. We will use it as fuel going forward.”