STAR WORLD CUP 2010 SOUTH AFRICA: Worldcup 2010 Group G : Brazil

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Worldcup 2010 Group G : Brazil

Brazil

Coach: Dunga

The Head Coach of Brazil is Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri or simply known to everyone in football as Dunga! He was a midfield stalwart of the Brazilian national team for many years and lifted the World Cup in 1994 when Captain. Dunga has been in charge of the Brazilian team since July 2006 when he replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira.

World Cup 2010 Qualifying:

Brazil are the only team to have appeared in every World Cup finals and they made sure that record would continue in the best possible fashion, beating their bitter rivals Argentina 3-1 on their home turf. Two goals from striker Luis Fabiano and another from defender Luisao was enough as they inflicted only the second home defeat in World Cup qualifiers on Diego Maradona's struggling side. Brazilian coach Dunga was quoted "We're happy. We beat a great team with great champions. Lionel Messi might be the best player in the world. We beat Argentina, which had not lost a match at home in qualifying."

Past World Cup Performance:

Put simply Brazil are the most successful nation in World Cup history with a record 5 wins in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002! Over the years they have graced the football field with many of the games biggest stars and entertained us with their unique style of play. As the popular saying goes about the beautiful game "The English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it." 1958 saw Brazil lift their first World Cup in Sweden and it was here that the world saw the emergence of a raw 17 year old talent called Pele who went on to be arguably the games greatest ever player. A second World Cup triumph followed 4 years later but this time Garrincha was the star man after Pele suffered injury in their first match against Mexico. Brazil won their third World Cup in Mexico in 1970 where they fielded what is considered to be the best football squad ever. Led by Pele in his last World Cup finals, captain Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Tostao, Gerson and Rivelino were at times mesmerizing! After winning the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third Brazil were allowed to keep it for good. Despite having some wonderful players during the 1970's and 1980's it was a long 24 year wait for Brazil before they next made the World Cup Final. Inspired by Romario and Bebeto Brazil met Italy in the Final where the game ended 0-0 and went to a penalty shootout. Brazil sealed their fourth World Cup after the tournaments star player Roberto Baggio missed the vital spot kick for Italy. In 1998 Brazil made the final once again but were beaten 3-0 by hosts France. The match will always remembered for the controversy before kick-off regarding star striker Ronaldo who was believed to have suffered a seizure. Ronaldo did make the team but was unable to stop Zinedine Zidane leading the French to victory. Brazil's fifth World Cup win came in 2002 where the three "R's" Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo led the Samba Kings to a 2-0 victory over Germany with Ronaldo scoring both goals! At World Cup 2010 Brazil have been drawn in Group G against Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea and will enter the tournament as the world number 2 ranked team behind Spain. Success at the World Cup is what the Brazilian nation demands and the pressure will be on Dunga to deliver a sixth World Cup win in South Africa!