The current Brazil team doesn’t have the all-conquering attack of the victorious 1970 side, nor does it have the romanticism involved with the 1982 and 1986 squads who played beautiful football only to fall short on both occasions. But, for national team coach Dunga he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Speaking after an ‘efficient’ 2-1 win over North Korea in their World Cup Group G opener at the Ellis Park Stadium here on Tuesday, the 1994 World Cup winning captain said he was pleased with the way things turned out after a poor first-half outing.
“It’s all about efficiency,” said the hard-tackling former midfielder. “Everyone has to be efficient, in attack and defence. Without that you don’t get anywhere.
At the start we were passing the ball around from side to side. I’m satisfied with the win but I want more, I want us to score more goals,” he said, even though he excluded some of the country’s top attacking talents from the 23-man squad. Ronaldinho and Santos’ young attacking prodigies Neymar and Ganso were among those who missed the bus even as certain role players considered over the hill, namely Gilberto Silva and Kleberson, made the cut.
It was a moment of brilliance from right-back Maicon that led to the opening goal, while another typically Brazilian piece of magic from the studs of Robinho led to Elano’s goal. However, there was little else from the Samba Kings to live to their reputation of playing Joga bonito.
However, for the coach everything is just a means to an end, and in the end his main aim is to guide Brazil to an unprecedented sixth World Cup crown — even if it means winning ugly. “Everyone has their preferences,” he said, “and my preference is to win.”