2010 World Cup Qualification Update - Brazil

March 22, 2008

As five time winners of the FIFA World Cup and victors at the last two COPA Americas, the thought of a World Cup Finals without the Brazilian national team is almost unimaginable. However, despite the presence of star players such as Kaka, Robinho and Alexandre Pato, there are some concerns back home that the class of 2008 may not live up to the standards set by their predecessors.

An unconvincing start to the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup has led to some criticism of the national team, now managed by playing legend Dunga, as the Brazilians currently sit third in the ten team qualification group.

Results
Colombia 0-0 Brazil
Brazil 5-0 Ecuador
Peru 1-1 Brazil
Brazil 2-1 Uruguay

An opening day point in Colombia is respectable, but not the standards that the Brazilian fans have come to expect. A 5-0 trouncing of Ecuador seemed to suggest that everything was ok, but a stuttering 1-1 draw in Peru followed up by an unconvincing 2-1 win over Uruguay has led to criticism of the national team.

In fairness to coach Dunga, it is a very new Brazil team that he is moulding. No longer can he rely on veterans such as Ronaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos with a new breed of Brazilians, led by the exciting AC Milan prospect Pato taking over the mantle to lead the national team. Of course, all the talent in the world cannot buy experience and that is perhaps what this young Brazilian team lacks at the top level.

One of the main differences between this new Brazilian teams and past generations is their defensive stability. True to his playing character, Dunga has tightened up the Brazilian backline and just two goals conceded in four World Cup qualifying matches gives reason to believe that defensively, Brazil are becoming a tough nut to crack.

Stars like Ronaldo may be gone, but Brazil still have plenty of talent to choose from, including World Player of the Year Kaka. His AC Milan teammate Pato is an exciting prospect, as is the explosive Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano. With Robinho maturing into a much more consistent and rounded player and Ronaldinho returning towards his best form, there certainly isn’t a lack of flair and creativity in the Brazilian ranks.

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