Lack of teamwork led to Brazil's WC fiasco: Pele

Five-time world champions Brazil failed at the World Cup 2006 in Germany because they did not play as a team, says the legendary player.

Five-time world champions Brazil failed at this year's football World Cup in Germany because they did not play as a team, legendary player Pele said on Monday.

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Brazil's performance in Germany was also affected by overconfidence, Pele said.

"I think the problem with Brazil was lack of teamwork because everybody used to say. 'Brazil will be in the final'," he told a press conference.

"I think this was psychological. This was the big problem with Brazil. I think it got too much confidence," he said.

Pele said Brazil had the best individual players in Germany. But they did not play as a team, which made it difficult for them to beat other teams including Italy, who were well-organised and went to win the World Cup.

Brazil's squad, studded with stars such as Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho and AC Milan's Kaka, were favorites to win the World Cup for a record sixth time before they lost to France in the quarter-final.

Pele was in Singapore as part of Las Vegas firm Eighth Wonder's bid for a casino and leisure development at Singapore's Sentosa island.

Eighth Wonder says it will build a 5,000-seat stadium named after Pele as part of its project called "Harry's Island" if it wins the bid.

Singapore is expected to announce the winner of the Sentosa project in early December. Two other firms are also seeking the casino licence.