BRAZIL - Coach Dunga was Brazil's World Cup-winning captain in 1994, having rebounded from a miserable experience four years earlier when he was made the scapegoat for their second-round exit.
BRAZIL - Coach Dunga was Brazil's World Cup-winning captain in 1994, having rebounded from a miserable experience four years earlier when he was made the scapegoat for their second-round exit.
He was appointed shortly after the 2006 World Cup, despite having almost no top-level coaching experience, to instil discipline and pride in the team. He has since won the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup, though many purists dislike the team's counter-attacking style under his leadership.
Key Players: l Kaká (Real Madrid). Age: 27. Midfielder.
Kaka - full name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite - was Fifa's World Player of the Year in 2007. He is still regarded as one of the world's top players. Excellent long-range shooting and incisive passing are his strengths but he is at his most exciting when picking up the ball near the halfway line and surging towards goal.
lLuis Fabiano (Sevilla). Age: 29. Forward.
The "Fabulous One" scored nine goals in 11 World Cup qualifiers including braces against Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Argentina, making him Brazil's top scorer in the campaign. His combination of power and accuracy makes him perfect for Dunga's counter-attacking style.
l Julio Cesar (Inter Milan). Age: 30. Goalkeeper.
Cesar has emerged as one of the world's top goalkeepers. In several of Brazil's relatively easy qualifying campaign - notably the 4-0 victories in Venezuela and Uruguay - he made the difference with outstanding saves early in the game.
How they qualified: Brazil sailed through the potentially tricky South American World Cup group, booking their place with three matches to spare in the best way possible with a 3-1 win away to arch-rivals Argentina. Their best performances were away from home.
Their biggest problems were at home, facing massed defences.
Prospects: Dunga has turned Brazil into a ruthlessly efficient outfit, even if they are not particularly attractive to watch.
They are capable of soaking up pressure for long periods and then counter-attacking with astonishing power and precision.
They are a good bet for a sixth world title.
dunga hones samba boys
BRAZIL - Coach Dunga was Brazil's World Cup-winning captain in 1994, having rebounded from a miserable experience four years earlier when he was made the scapegoat for their second-round exit.
BRAZIL - Coach Dunga was Brazil's World Cup-winning captain in 1994, having rebounded from a miserable experience four years earlier when he was made the scapegoat for their second-round exit.
He was appointed shortly after the 2006 World Cup, despite having almost no top-level coaching experience, to instil discipline and pride in the team. He has since won the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup, though many purists dislike the team's counter-attacking style under his leadership.
Key Players: l Kaká (Real Madrid). Age: 27. Midfielder.
Kaka - full name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite - was Fifa's World Player of the Year in 2007. He is still regarded as one of the world's top players. Excellent long-range shooting and incisive passing are his strengths but he is at his most exciting when picking up the ball near the halfway line and surging towards goal.
lLuis Fabiano (Sevilla). Age: 29. Forward.
The "Fabulous One" scored nine goals in 11 World Cup qualifiers including braces against Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Argentina, making him Brazil's top scorer in the campaign. His combination of power and accuracy makes him perfect for Dunga's counter-attacking style.
l Julio Cesar (Inter Milan). Age: 30. Goalkeeper.
Cesar has emerged as one of the world's top goalkeepers. In several of Brazil's relatively easy qualifying campaign - notably the 4-0 victories in Venezuela and Uruguay - he made the difference with outstanding saves early in the game.
How they qualified: Brazil sailed through the potentially tricky South American World Cup group, booking their place with three matches to spare in the best way possible with a 3-1 win away to arch-rivals Argentina. Their best performances were away from home.
Their biggest problems were at home, facing massed defences.
Prospects: Dunga has turned Brazil into a ruthlessly efficient outfit, even if they are not particularly attractive to watch.
They are capable of soaking up pressure for long periods and then counter-attacking with astonishing power and precision.
They are a good bet for a sixth world title.
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