Brazil lacked sharpness : Menezes

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has bemoaned his side's "lack of sharpness" after their shock 0-0 draw with Venezuela in their Copa America Group B opener.

Brazil, ranked 63 places above Venezuela in the FIFA rankings, was expected to steamroll past their less illustrious opponents on Sunday, but instead was held to a goalless draw.

Almost uncharacteristically, the Brazilians lacked much invention and guile in attack, and failed to genuinely trouble Venezuelan custodian Renny Vega, who was rarely called into any action of note.

Speaking after the game, Menezes admitted his charges had not performed on the day.

Menezes said on the Copa America's official website, "In the first half, we had chances to score, But in the second it was different. We lacked sharpness."

After starting with Ganso, Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Neymar in attack, Menezes threw on Elano, Fred and Lucas Silva in the 2nd half to no avail.

"We tried in both sides, both we could not be faster, and could not sneak a player in the area.

"Venezuela worked very hard."

Brazil's next opponents, Paraguay, are likely to pose an even greater challenge, and Menezes has warned his team that the Gerardo Martino's men will have "more responsibility" than Venezuela, and that it would be unlikely that his charges get to dominate as they did on Sunday.

"We will see a very balanced match."

Brazil then end their group campaign against Ecuador on July 13, and will be looking to finish in the top two to guarantee their progress to the quarter-finals.