Uruguay defender accuses Neymar of diving

Belo Horizonte, June 25 (IANS)

Neymar of Brazil reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Italy and Brazil at Estadio Octavio Mangabeira (Arena Fonte Nova Salvador) on June 22, 2013 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Uruguay defender Diego Godin has accused Brazil striker Neymar of serial diving ahead of Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semi-final between the South American rivals.

Neymar has scored in each of Brazil’s victories over Japan, Mexico and Italy during the group phase of the World Cup warm-up tournament.

Godin, who will be among those charged by Celeste coach Oscar Tabarez to curb the 21-year-old at the Mineirao stadium, admitted the task was one of football’s toughest, Xinhua reports.

“Neymar is a player who is unpredictable, one of the best in the world,” the Atletico Madrid centre-back said. “He is fast, dribbles and scores lots of goals. I just hope that he doesn’t dive so much. He always makes the most of minimal contact to win a free-kick.”

Godin said his team’s heralded strike force – which includes Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan – could ill afford to waste scoring chances against Brazil’s miserly defence.

“We have to make the most of the chances that come our way,” the 27-year-old said. “It’s going to be special to play Brazil in such an important match, and even more so in front of their own fans. It will be like a final for us.”