Five-time world champions Brazil, with fans and ex-players angered at their style of play, can deliver the one thing that matters most to their pragmatic coach Dunga — the sweet taste of victory. The Samba Kings will look to build on their ‘efficient’ 2-1 over North Korea and book a berth in the Round of 16 when they lock horns with Ivory Coast in their World Cup Group G match at Soccer City here on Sunday.
Dunga has a one-point agenda which is as unflinching as it is unwavering. Years before he angered loyal fans with his team’s dour play, he was a hard-tackling midfielder who displayed steadfast resoluteness. Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Erikkson knows all about that.
When he was head coach of Italian club Fiorentina, the Swede bought the Brazilian to Florence. Even as a youngster, Erikkson said he could see a potential leader for the future in the Brazilian.
“I know the Brazil manager very well, I brought him to Fiorentina and had him there for a year. Even as a player, he knew everything tactically about football. He’s one of the best I ever had, he was fantastic in defence and attack. He knew exactly everything,” said Erikkson.
“I’m not surprised that they (Brazil) are extremely well-organised, it’s not easy to score against them,” the Swede said. While that may come as some relief for the former World Cup-winning captain, even he wants more from his team. “I’m satisfied with the win but I want more, I want us to score more goals,” he said after the win in their opener.
Brazil’s biggest worry has been the form of talismanic playmaker Kaka. After an injury-plagued first season at Real Madrid, the 27-year-old looked short of match practice in his 78-minute stint in the opener. “Kaka is great — he can win a game on his own on his day,” Robinho said, but insisted that, “Brazil have excellent footballers who can be drafted in his place. Julio Baptista has been training well and he can take on Kaka’s role as he did at the Copa America,” he added.
However, Dunga feels the former AC Milan star is ready to hit top gear. “His toughest time in rehabilitation is behind him. He’s very calm and doing his best to give his all for the team. I’m convinced that he is doing everything possible to help us,” Dunga said.