Robinho: Brazil "want to be the champions" at the Confed Cup

Robinho: Brazil "want to be the champions" at the Confed CupPretoria - Brazilian striker Robinho is hoping that Brazil can erase Thursday against the United States the poor impression they made in their Confederations Cup debut against Egypt.

"We are tired, but that doesn't matter. Tired or not, we will seek to do our best. We have to make the most of this moment that we are with the national team, away from our families, to return to Brazil as champions," Robinho told German Press Agency dpa in an interview.

The Manchester City player noted that Brazil "have already got over the tension" of their debut match, in which they just managed to scrape a 4-3 win through a goal from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Now, they want a convincing win in Thursday's game against the United States, to get to Sunday's football classic against Italy in the best possible form.

When asked whether Brazil - who are out to defend their Confederations Cup title in South Africa - are afraid of ending up second in the first round's Group B, and thus having to play the mighty Spain in the semifinals, Robinho said a definite no.

"That possibility did not even occur to us," he said. "We want to be the champions, and those who want to be the champions cannot pick their rivals."

Ahead of the game against the United States in Pretoria, Robinho praised the rivals for their defence, but still said he hopes he can score his first goal of the tournament in that match.

"I hope my goal will come out in the next game. They have a very strong defence, but every match has its history and we have the quality to score three goals against them," he said.

Robinho was referring to earlier comments from Brazil coach Carlos Dunga, who noted that in recent years the US side has only rarely let in three goals, as they did in their Confederations Cup debut, 3-1 against Italy.(dpa)