The form of the South African team just over 200 days from its hosting of the World Cup is worrying, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Monday. The veteran Brazilian coach, who returned at the start of the month to coach the team, said the side was in dire need of better spirit and happiness after a run of poor results over the last 18 months. “Outside the field the preparations for the World Cup have gone well and the tournament is going to be a very good promotion for the country but I am worried about the team,” he told a media briefing in Bloemfontein Monday. “I have always told people outside the country they are going to be surprised how good this World Cup will be but as the host team we should have as our target at least a place in the next round. “We are not a heavyweight team. We need to gain some weight and by that I mean we need more experience and confidence. The team needs some spirit and happiness.” Parreira returned in charge for a goalless friendly against Japan in Port Elizabeth Saturday and has another friendly against Jamaica in Bloemfontein Tuesday. “In life sometimes things go right for you, when something falls out of the sky and lands right in your pocket. But when things are not going right you can casually cross the street and get knocked over and that is where the team is now.
