FIFA World Cup 2010 - Can Brazil Win Without Samba Style Football?

Five-time winners, Brazil, may have to do more thanDunga's selection of players reflects the same
win the FIFA World Cup 2010 if they want to pleasepragmatism. Arsenal rejects Filipe Melo and Gilberto
their fans back home. They will need to play SambaSilva man Dunga's midfield; fans see this as a negative
style and not muscle their way to the crown.move by the coach. In Dunga's game plan, players in
The 1970 World Cup was a seminal event in Brazilianthe mould of Robinho and Kaka must concentrate on
-- and world -- football. Having established theirtracking back to regain possession.
post-war football supremacy, in 1958 and 1962, BrazilAlso, Dunga prefers Luis Adriano's in-your-face
lost in 1966. Their winning the title back in 1970 servedaggression, as a forward, to the pace and flair that
to shed any plausible doubts about the quality ofNilmar and Pato deliver. Brazil's fans refuse to be
Brazilian soccer. Also, it was Pele's last World Cup.consoled by the fact that Adriano netted 9 times
Most importantly, that Cup was won playing withduring the qualifiers.
unmatched Brazilian flair.Coaches are sacked when their teams lose. So
Coach Dunga, of the current squad, is himself a WorldDunga's unpopularity appears counter intuitive. He is
Cup winner of 1994. And Dunga wants results, first. Herebuilding the team after the 2006 World Cup defeat
is also a self-confessed admirer of the organisedto France in the second round. That team relied on flair,
defence at which Italy have become so adept.with a line-up that comprised Kaka, Ronaldo,
Dunga's style is akin to strangling the rival, rather thanRonaldinho, Robinho and Adriano. But lacked
being creative on the field, for which Brazil areteamwork, which is Dunga's mantra.
celebrated, worldwide. Including the Copa America inIf the coach's plans succeed, and Brazil go on to win
2007 and the Confederations Cup a year ago, Dungathe title, this year, Dunga could still emerge a national
has delivered decisively, with the team winning 36 ofhero in native Brazil...
the 53 played under his helm.