Copa America: I wanted to take penalty, says striker Robinho

Brazil striker Robinho has expressed his disappointment at coach Dunga's decision to replace him in the closing stages of the Copa America quarter-final loss to Paraguay, saying he was desperate to take a penalty in the shootout

Concepcion (Chile): Brazil striker Robinho has expressed his disappointment at coach Dunga's decision to replace him in the closing stages of the Copa America quarter-final loss to Paraguay, saying he was desperate to take a penalty in the shootout.


Brazil striker Robinho celebrates after scoring against Paraguay in the Copa America quarter-final in Concepcion, Chile on Saturday. Pic/AFP 

The 31-year-old opened the scoring in Concepcion but Derlis Gonzalez levelled matters from the spot with 18 minutes to go.

Robinho was then replaced with three minutes remaining, thus denying him the chance to take a penalty in a shootout that Brazil lost 4-3, with Gonzalez netting the winner.

"I wanted to stay on to take a penalty, but I have to respect the coach's decision," Robinho told SporTV after the game.

"Usually, I'm there to take a penalty. Now we must face it. Our team has a lot to improve on. If one loses, everyone loses." Robinho admitted the defeat was hard to take and felt the Selecao should be beating sides like Paraguay, who also knocked Brazil out of the 2011 edition of the competition at the quarter final stage via penalties. "All due respect, but Paraguay aren't among the best national teams," the former Real Madrid and AC Milan attacker added.

"Sadly, our performance dropped in the second half. But we had the chance to finish the game. We could have won it, but we didn't and conceded in a silly fashion."

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