Buenos Aires: Brazil have recovered their Confederations Cup-winning form in time for Tuesday`s friendly against Portugal in Boston, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.
The 2014 World Cup hosts, despite being depleted by injuries, bounced back from a poor 1-0 defeat by Switzerland last month to romp to a 6-0 win over Australia in Brasilia on Saturday.
"The 6-0 was marvellous. We played at a very good rhythm, it didn`t look like a friendly, the team performed as in the Confederations Cup," Scolari was quoted as saying on the Brazilian Football Confederation`s website.
"It`s in this shape that we`re going to Boston to play against Portugal."
Striker Jo, standing in for the injured Fred among several reserves given a chance to start a match, scored twice in the win over Australia.
Scolari was impressed by midfielder Ramires, whom he overlooked for the June tournament which Brazil hosted and won with a 3-0 victory over world champions Spain in the final.
"He`s a very agile player, he gets up front in attacking moves and 10 seconds later he`s back marking," Scolari said after giving Ramires a start.
"He`s a modern player who can be very useful," he added with a hint that Ramires could play a part in Brazil`s World Cup plans.
Young forward Bernard, who turned 21 on Sunday, also made the most of being given a start and is likely to get another chance against Portugal.
Real Madrid left back Marcelo pulled out of the squad with a leg muscle injury he sustained in the win over Australia with Maxwell expected to stand in.
Scolari is also hoping midfielder Oscar recovers from a right ankle injury that kept him out of the match in Brasilia.
Reuters
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