Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) July 8 (IANS) Brazil midfielder Casemiro has defended midfielder Fernandinho after the Manchester City player scored an own goal in their 2-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Making his first start of the tournament replacing the suspended Casemiro Fernandinho endured a personal nightmare in an error-strewn performance that included a deflection off his arm from a corner that gave Belgium an early lead reported Xinhua news agency.

Friday s result eliminated the five-time world champions from the tournament in Russia and set up a semifinal clash for Belgium against France.

"When we lose everybody loses. When we win everybody wins " Casemiro told reporters upon the team s arrival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

"He had bad luck at that moment but at other times he proved his worth. He s a great player and we have faith in him. Sometimes these things happen in football " he added.

Casemiro refuted suggestions that Brazil s failure to reach the semi-finals represented failure.

"People can say that Brazil always have to win but the overall balance has been positive.
"There are a lot of good things to come out of it. Two years ago we ran the risk of missing the World Cup and then we were favourites. It s not the end of an era. You have to recognize the positives " he said.

The Real Madrid player expressed support for coach Tite whose future in the role is uncertain. "Tite is human and exceptional coach for us " Casemiro said adding: "I only have good things to say about him. He deserves to stay on because he s doing a great job."

Tite received the loudest applause from dozens of fans who had gathered at the airport terminal to welcome back their heroes.

The 57-year-old spoke briefly to reporters before being whisked away by team minders.


--IANS kk/vd