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SAO PAULO - Brazil assistant coach and former world champion Carlos Alberto Parreira says its "a joke" that the Brazilian government took so long to start working on some of the infrastructure projects needed for the World Cup. With less than five months before the tournament, Parreira said he is disappointed with the countrys preparations and accused the government of missing a huge opportunity to improve conditions for Brazilians. Parreira told Radio CBN in an interview first aired Sunday that he believes stadiums will be ready in time, but its a shame most infrastructure projects that could benefit Brazilians wont be completed until long after the World Cup. The World Cup-winning coach in 1994 is the latest past champion to blast Brazils preparations, following the recent criticism by former players Cafu, Bebeto and Rivaldo. "We missed an opportunity to show the world what we can do in this country," Parreira said. "We missed an opportunity to provide more comfort to Brazilians and to show a different kind of Brazil." The country has only seven of the 12 World Cup stadiums ready for the tournament that opens in June, and there are still doubts whether Curitiba will remain a host city because of delays in its stadium. But the greatest missed opportunities are related to the infrastructure work that was supposed to remain a legacy to the countrys population. Many of the projects promised by the government will not be completed in time or wont even leave the drawing board. "We know the World Cup is about stadiums, but its not only about stadiums. Fans cant live in a stadium," Parreira said. "They say everything will eventually be ready in 2018, 2020... but we wanted it ready for the World Cup to try to change this view that the foreigners have about Brazil." Parreira said the government is mostly to blame. "Everything was supposed to be ready for the World Cup, but it was a total neglect," he said. "I saw recently that they are going to start the bidding processes for (work at) airports in March, three months before the World Cup. Its a joke. We won the bid seven years ago and its only now that they are starting these bidding processes." Parreira, who also coached Brazil in the 2006 World Cup, made some specific complaints about Rio de Janeiro, the city hosting the 2016 Olympics. "Rio will always continue to attract tourists. Its a wonderful city. I cant think of a city that is more beautiful than Rio," said the 70-year-old Parreira, an assistant to Luiz Felipe Scolari. "But we all know that it could offer us a lot more comfort, a lot more safety and a better quality of life." Brazil is expected to spend a total of about $14 billion in the World Cup, and the lack of government improvements to society prompted violent protests during the Confederations Cup last year. There were some demonstrations on Saturday in dozens of cities, and a lot more is expected during the World Cup, footballs showcase event. Cafu and Bebeto, World Cup winners with Parreira in 1994, last week said it would be a disaster if Curitiba was dropped because of the stadium delay there. Rivaldo, the former Barcelona midfielder who was key for Brazil when the five-time champion won the 2002 World Cup, said the country will "embarrass itself" because of its problematic preparations. Wholesale Red Wings Jerseys . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Authentic .com) - Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 11. http://www.cheapredwingsjerseys.com/. -- Miguel Angel Jimenez quickly shifted his focus back to the Ryder Cup after winning his first Champions Tour event. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys China . - The Pittsburgh Pirates plan on keeping promising left fielder Starling Marte playing alongside National League MVP Andrew McCutchen for years to come.This is the first time in nearly a decade that the Boston Bruins have entered a new year not in position to make the playoffs. The reigning Presidents Trophy winners are determined to make sure that changes. Besides feeling better about its recent play and having a renewed focus, Boston should soon get a key piece back on the ice, and theres a shot that happens as early as todays matchup with the visiting Ottawa Senators. Viewers in the Senators region can watch the game live on TSN5 at 1pm et/2pm at, or listen live on TSN Radio Ottawa 1200. Adam McQuaid was third on the Bruins in ice time when he broke his thumb Nov. 18. They had a 12-8-0 record with the sixth-year defenseman but have gone 7-7-4 without him while giving up nearly half a goal per game more. McQuaid has been practicing and said Friday hes close to returning, but he hasnt been medically cleared. I feel really good out there, and every day, pretty significant improvements, McQuaid told the teams official website. Well have a talk with the trainers, and well see from there. McQuaid, one of the clubs top penalty killers, could provide a boost for a team whose last five opponents totaled 17 goals and went 4 for 12 on the power play. Boston (19-15-4), though, went 3-1-1 in that span. Were getting better net-front presence and scoring chances and all that stuff, coach Claude Julien said. ... Were trying not to get too focused on the stats, because they dont mean anything going into (Saturdays) game. Its all about living in the present. Ottawa (15-14-7) has had four days off since Bobby Ryans hat trick - his first since 2011 - keyed a 5-2 victory over Buffalo on Monday. The Senators had lost their previous three games, but coach Dave Cameron was pleased with their 4-2-2 finish to 22014.dddddddddddd Im seeing better execution, Cameron said. Im seeing good effort. Goaltender Craig Anderson agreed, and he has keyed Ottawas solid play with a 3-1-1 record and 1.79 goals-against average in his last five starts. Lately weve been playing really simple, giving ourselves an opportunity to win games, Anderson said. ... The chances and the amount of opportunities were giving up are way down. Anderson hasnt received many opportunities to face the Bruins recently, partly because his 3.50 GAA against them is his worst versus any East team. Hes given up 23 goals in his last five games in Boston but is starting Saturday after being left on the bench in the previous two meetings. Rask is 6-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA in 10 career starts versus Ottawa. While Boston is 10-2-3 at home since the beginning of November, Ottawa is 2-5-2 on the road since Thanksgiving. Juliens club is within two points of an Eastern Conference postseason berth. They hadnt been out of playoff position going into January since the 2005-06 season. Every point right now matters, and our position does matter, defenseman Kevan Miller said. It makes it tougher every game that we dont climb. The Bruins are looking to get five of a possible six points on a key three-game stretch this week against fellow Atlantic Division foes. They dominated Detroit in Mondays 5-2 win, then came back from a two-goal deficit to force a shootout in Wednesdays 4-3 loss to Toronto. These are huge games, huge points for us. (Saturdays) a big game, said Chris Kelly, who has nine points in the past eight games. Both meetings this season have been in Boston, with the Bruins winning 4-2 on Nov. 1 and the Senators winning 3-2 on Dec. 13 on Ryans shootout goal off Tuukka Rask. ' ' '