AFTER an almighty scare, Brazil's soccer stars are back on course for the World Cup finals next year in the United States.
The Brazilians - the first team to win soccer's most prestigious trophy three times and the only country to qualify for every World Cup finals since the inaugural tournament in 1930 - have been made to fight hard throughout this year's qualifying campaign.
They will go into their final match in South American qualifying Group B, at home to Uruguay, knowing that a draw will be enough to ensure they make the trip to the US.
The 1993 Brazilians have found it hard to live up to the glorious tradition of brilliant, attacking football, which made their predecessors so famous.
The spectres of such legends as Pele, Garrincha and Zico (the latter still entrancing fans in the new Japanese league, aged 40), have loomed large over the current national squad.
Add to this the fierce demands of Brazil's huge army of fans and a harshly critical national press, and it is easier to understand why today's players are under massive pressure every time they take the field.