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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. Brady Tkachuk Jersey . 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. Daniel Alfredsson Jersey . The Tiger-Cats announced on Friday the linebacker has signed a new contract with the team through the 2016 season. Thomas Chabot Senators Jersey . Napoli beat high-flying Hellas Verona 3-0 to keep up the pressure on the top two while AC Milan had another disappointing night as four goals from teenage forward Domenico Berardi saw relegation-threatened Sassuolo come back from two goals down to win 4-3. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-chris-tierney-senators-jersey/ . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan is sticking with Geno Smith. The struggling rookie will remain the New York Jets starting quarterback for the teams game Sunday against the AFC East-rival Miami Dolphins. While the Jets are on the verge of a full-blown quarterback controversy as their playoff chances have taken a hit, Ryan isnt ready to make a change under centre just yet. "Right now," the coach said Monday, "I would feel he gives us the best chance to win." Smith hadnt been told of any decision while speaking in the locker room about an hour before Ryans news conference, but anticipated getting the start at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. "I fully intend to go about my week as I always do and have confidence in myself to be the starter and the leader of this offence," Smith said. "I will continue to study and work diligently as Ive always done." Ryan was noncommittal to starting Smith after the Jets 19-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, saying he wanted to watch the tape of the game before making any decisions. Smith was 9 of 22 for 127 yards and was intercepted twice and sacked three times. Over his last six games, Smith has thrown 10 interceptions and one touchdown pass. Against Baltimore, the Jets were 1 of 12 on third downs and finished with just 220 total yards. "The mistakes we made, theyre not on one person," Ryan said. "Offensively, as it always does, it seems like we talk about Geno all the time and that stats are out there for the public awareness, I guess. Here are the facts: He was 9 for 22, but it doesnt paint the whole picture. "Its certainly not on one guy." But some fans and media have called for inexperienced backup Matt Simms to start for the Jets (5-6), who have lost two in a row and gone from controlling their playoff destiny to being way back in a pack of teams on the outside. "With Geno, sure, we have to get more production out of the quarterback position, I understand that," Ryan said. "Some of it, hes making the throws." Ryan explained the theory of a defence trying to force a quarterback into having to "throw out of a well," meaning that the pocket collapses so significantly that he has to just heave it straight up rather than being able too aim at targets consistently. Mikkel Boedker Senators Jersey. That, Ryan said, has helped contribute to some of the poor play lately by Smith. "We have to protect better," right guard Willie Colon said. "Hes forced to make some throws and a lot of things are coming at him. Up front, weve got to help him out, but were not." Ryan also pointed to receivers not running the right routes or dropping passes, and the defence not making plays to help out the offence. Still, there have been questionable decisions made by Smith throughout the season, befitting a rookie who is learning on the job. His 18 interceptions lead the NFL and his 62.1 quarterback rating is last among current starting quarterbacks. "I dont like to call them growing pains," said Smith, who acknowledged that this is his toughest stretch statistically at any level. "I dont make any excuses for anything. I fully expect myself, rookie or not, to go out there and perform. Theyre just mistakes that Ive got to correct." But is he running out of time -- and the team running out of patience? "I completely shut it out," Smith said of the calls for him to be benched. "One, you have to. And two, I always will because I know what it takes to win and what it takes to be a good quarterback, and it doesnt have anything to do with anything outside of this building. It takes preparation and hard work, so thats something Ill continue to do." Ryan insisted the Jets are closer than many people might think, but also implored his players to not listen to any of the negative comments being said or written about them outside the facility. "Weve got to stay together," defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said of Ryans message to the team. "People are going to try to break the team apart, try to point their fingers, but weve got to try to stay the course here and win these five games." NOTES: LB Troy Davis stayed overnight at a hospital in Baltimore after suffering a chest injury on a hit by the Ravens Courtney Upshaw. Ryan hinted that he was unhappy about it being a hit on a "defenceless player." ... WR David Nelson on whether the game against Miami feels like a must win: "Without being too dramatic, I definitely think so," he said. ' ' '