Every team is afraid of Brazil, says Zagallo

SAO PAULO, May 9 (Reuters) Brazil's veteran technical director Mario Zagallo believes all the other World Cup teams fear facing the world champions.

''Everyone is afraid to play Brazil, that's the reality and I'm sure of it,'' the 74-year-old said yesterday.

''I certainly wouldn't want to be on the other side,'' he said during an event in Sao Paulo.

''The ones who say that Brazil are favourites are fearful, they're trying to shirk their responsibilities,'' he added.

Brazil have won the World Cup five times and Zagallo, who coached them to success in 1970 and was also at the helm in 1974 and 1998, said nobody wants them to win again in Germany.

''Of course, they don't want us to win. We're the only country who could become six-times champions and that would put a great distance between us and the rest.'' ''A win against Brazil is as good as winning the whole tournament,'' he added.

Reuters PDS VP0500