BUENOS AIRES, July 19: Brazil’s elimination from the Copa America won’t derail the hosts’ preparations for the 2014 World Cup, coach Mano Menezes said on Monday.

Menezes believes Brazil improved during the South American competition despite the elimination to Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals on Sunday, and expects the team to be at their best again soon.

“Brazil will not be stumbling in 2014,” he said. “It will be strong.”

Trying to win their third straight Copa America title, Brazil exited the event after only one win in four matches.

Brazil outplayed Paraguay from the start on Sunday in La Plata but were unable to capitalise on their numerous scoring opportunities, mostly because of a terrific performance by goalkeeper Justo Villar. Brazil then failed in all four penalty attempts to lose 2-0 in the shootout.

“We have to look back and understand that we improved,” Menezes insisted. “We had our best match by far against Paraguay. We always want to win and the result is important, but we can’t forget that we played very well on Sunday.”—AP