Continual improvement is Menezes' mantra

CORDOBA, Argentina, July 14 (BSS/AFP) - Brazil coach Mano Menezes saluted his side but warned he wanted further improvement after they got past Ecuador 4-2 to reach the Copa America quarter-finals as Group B winners.

"I think we can still do better and they know that so we
have to convince them as much'" Menezes said after the win at
Cordoba gave them the group on goal difference ahead of Venezuela
and booked another meeting with third- placed Paraguay.

"I am working with my players to make them better - that
will always be the approach," he said, repeating his mantra that
the goal is to be ready for the 2014 World Cup.

"I have extraordinary players," he added in reference to the
likes of two-goal stars Neymar and Pato as well as effervescent
wingback Maicon.

Menezes brushed off as "one of those things which happen in
football" Ecuador's opening goal when goalkeeper Julio Cesar let
through a tame effort from Felipe Caicedo.

Defender Daniel Alves said that the gloves were now off with
Brazil having emerged from a difficult start which brought draws
against the Venezuelans and Paraguayans.

"Now the competition really starts," said Alves of
Barcelona. The win was, he admitted, "a weight off our minds."

Referring to the upcoming meeting with the Paraguayans, he
added: "Paraguay are tough rivals but I think we have an
opportunity. We mustn't get obsessed - a new Copa is just
starting."

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