MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil's Lula reacts to defeat: “never felt so furious”

Double frustration for Lula: no Olympic goal and KO from Argentina

Brazilian president Lula da Silva criticized sharply the spirit of the national team which on Tuesday lost to Argentina in Beijing 3-0.

The team coached by Dunga suffered a humiliating defeat in the semifinals of the Olympics and is another failed attempt in the race to conquer the gold medal, probably the only honor which Brazil's passion sport is longing for. "I've never seen a team with such a poor winning spirit", said Lula da Silva to members of Congress from the ruling coalition that regularly meets at the Political Council of the Coalition. "I've never felt so furious in my life" added the president according to the ruling Workers Party whip in the Lower Chamber Jovair Arantes. Legislators present at the meeting said President Lula da Silva compared the performance of the Brazilian squad against Argentina as "the worst days of Corinthians", the Sao Paulo team of which he's a fan since a boy. But the President went further and pointed out that the Brazilian national team had surpassed those terrible days of his beloved Corinthians "because of the lack of quality play and spirit displayed". Corinthians no longer plays in the Brazilian premier league. Besides having to suffer three goals from Argentina, two from Aguero, Maradona's son in law and a penalty kick from Riquelme, Brazil had two players sent out of the field, Thiago Neves and Lucas. The Argentine-Brazilian football rivalry is a question of national honor for both countries, which makes defeats so painful. Next Friday the Brazilian team which on Tuesday was led by world star Ronaldinho will face Belgium for the bronze medal. Argetnina plays for gold on Saturday against Nigeria that defeated Belgium 4-1.