Sports

Coach Scolari stays with Brazil's national team for opener in Sao Paulo despite nephew's death

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari watches his team during an official training session the day before the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia in the Itaquerao Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, June 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (The Associated Press)

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gestures during an official training session the day before the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia in the Itaquerao Stadium, Sao Paulo , Brazil, Wednesday, June 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (The Associated Press)

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has decided to stay with Brazil's national team despite the death of his nephew in an accident two days before the opening match of the World Cup.

Scolari attended the official FIFA press conference in Sao Paulo on Wednesday and did not travel to be with his family in southern Brazil, where 48-year-old Tarcisio Joao Schneider died in a car accident on Tuesday.

Brazil plays Croatia at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

Scolari said he was finding strength to keep working by seeing his players' dedication in their preparations for the World Cup.

He says "sometimes we have to deal with some difficulties, but you have to try to move on."