Brazil downplay favourite tag

(AP):

Only 13 days ago, Brazil thrashed Peru 5-0 in a Copa America group-stage match, with samba-style football, goals from long distances and defensive perfection. But Selecao players said yesterday they don't expect an easy rematch against underdogs Peru in the tournament's decider at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.

"Every match has a different history," left back Alex Sandro said at the Granja Comary training ground in Teresopolis, outside Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian said he agreed with Peru striker Paolo Guerrero, who criticised those who think Brazil are massive favourites.

"There are no favourites in a final. Anything can happen in a final," Alex Sandro said.

Brazil will be seeking their ninth Copa America title and first since 2007. Peru, with two South American cup trophies, will play their first decider of the tournament in 44 years.

THIRD-PLACE RANKING

Five-time world champions Brazil are third in the FIFA rankings, while Peru are 21st after reaching last year's World Cup in Russia, their first since 1982.

The Copa America hosts scored more goals than any team in the tournament (10), have yet to concede any, and will play in Rio for the first time in six years in front of nearly 80,000 fans.

Peru have shown improvement throughout the tournament. The Andeans squeezed through to the knockout stage as one of the two best to finish third in their groups. After being hammered by Brazil, the Peruvians lost one of their best players, veteran Jefferson Farfan, and still eliminated Uruguay in a penalty shoot-out, and topped defending champions Chile 3-0 Wednesday night.

Striker Everton, one of the best players of Copa America so far, agrees that Peru's moment is different now.

"It will be a totally different match," Everton said. "Now it is about controlling the anticipation. That is the main factor. We need to work step by step, prepare well. We will face a great adversary and we need to be ready for that."

Everton, Roberto Firmino, Casemiro, Dani Alves and Willian scored against Peru in the teams' first encounter, with Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese stopping a penalty from Gabriel Jesus near the end of the match at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.