Brazil vs Honduras International Soccer Friendly Preview, Live Stream: Neymar To Play in Final Friendly Before Copa America
Brazil will face Honduras in their final international friendly match on Wednesday before they kick off their campaign against Peru in the 2015 Copa American on Sunday.
Brazil, who are coming off an impressive 2-0 win against Mexico in a friendly on Sunday, is set to welcome star striker Neymar into their squad when they play in front of their home crowd at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.
Neymar, who is looking to help Brazil win a major title after their well-documented debacle in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, missed their game against Mexico because he played for FC Barcelona in the Champions League Final on Saturday in Berlin, Germany.
There were doubts on whether or not Brazil coach Dunga will use Neymar against Honduras, but the 51-year-old coach confirmed that the Brazilian talisman will play. He said that it is important for him to use all the players who are expected to play a lot in the Copa America.
"Neymar will play," Dunga told reporters via Goal.com. "This is our last game of preparation, we have to test the players who will start the competition and the others we will need. We have to rely on the whole squad because there might be injuries or suspension, so everyone needs to be well prepared."
Dunga refused to divulge who will start for them against Honduras, but reports indicated that Philippe Countinho and Diego Tardelli remain strong candidate after scoring for Brazil against Mexico. Robinho, who also missed Sunday's game, also trained with the squad after recovering from a knee injury.
Dunga is looking to lead Brazil to their tenth consecutive win since their meltdown in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The returning coach, who replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm, is still undefeated since taking the coaching reigns.
But more than extending their winning streak, midfielder Casemiro said that the match against Honduras will be a great opportunity for them to become more prepared for their upcoming campaign in the 2015 Copa America.
"Brazil always want more, so we have to think about having another good game against Honduras," Casemiro said. "Then we must keep training hard to improve even more."
On the other hand, Honduras know they are a heavy underdog heading into the match, but they are expected to go all out as they are also preparing for their campaign in the CONCACAF Gold Cup next month.
The Brazil-Honduras soccer friendly match is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET and will be shown live on beIN Sports 1. Soccer fans in the U.S. can catch the action via beIN Sports Play.
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