No 'saudade' for Dunga's Brazil
Source: Agencies |
July 4, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE word "saudade" is one of the most distinctive and frequently used in the Portuguese language, a barely translatable term used to describe deep longing for something or someone that is gone.
It is a sentiment which few will be feeling for Brazil's 2010 World Cup team.
The five-time champion was getting ready to head home yesterday evening from Port Elizabeth and is almost certain to receive a mauling from the media, already at loggerheads at coach Dunga over his team's perceived lack of style and flair, after its quarterfinal exit at the hands of the Netherlands.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo suggested that Felipe Melo, cast as the villain after an own-goal, which was yesterday credited to Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, and sending-off in Friday's game, should keep a low profile in the next few weeks.
"Felipe Melo should not spend his holiday in Brazil," he wrote on his Twitter page. "The boys fought, were dignified and strong. Unfortunately we all lost."
Despite being one of the most technically gifted teams at the World Cup, Dunga's team put work rate, tactics and patriotism above talent and showed only isolated flashes of inspiration.
It brought only four forwards and two creative midfielders to South Africa, was not prepared to take risks and then criticized its opponents for "not wanting to play".
Some of the selections were inexplicable, such as the inclusion of former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson at the expense of Ronaldinho or Santos youngster Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The only source of midfield inspiration was Kaka, who was still regaining full fitness after a difficult debut season with Real Madrid.
Inspired by the rantings of Dunga on the touchline, the Brazilians harassed referees, received two red cards in five games and their matches against Ivory Coast, Portugal and the Netherlands were three of the most niggly at the World Cup.
Dunga placed the emphasis firmly on efficiency and tactical discipline but, instead of that, Brazil fell to pieces in the second half against the Dutch after conceding an equalizer out of the blue shortly after the break.
Playing uninspiring football and failing to win the World Cup is the worst possible combination in the eyes of the Brazilian public and Dunga's side is likely to join the 1966 and 1990 teams in being considered the worst the country has produced.
Dunga made it clear after Friday's stunning 1-2 defeat that his four-year cycle had ended, leaving Brazil to search for his successor.
The early speculation had 2002 World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari among the favorites. It will need a brave man to take on the job as, with Brazil hosting the competition, the pressure will be greater than ever.
It is a sentiment which few will be feeling for Brazil's 2010 World Cup team.
The five-time champion was getting ready to head home yesterday evening from Port Elizabeth and is almost certain to receive a mauling from the media, already at loggerheads at coach Dunga over his team's perceived lack of style and flair, after its quarterfinal exit at the hands of the Netherlands.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo suggested that Felipe Melo, cast as the villain after an own-goal, which was yesterday credited to Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, and sending-off in Friday's game, should keep a low profile in the next few weeks.
"Felipe Melo should not spend his holiday in Brazil," he wrote on his Twitter page. "The boys fought, were dignified and strong. Unfortunately we all lost."
Despite being one of the most technically gifted teams at the World Cup, Dunga's team put work rate, tactics and patriotism above talent and showed only isolated flashes of inspiration.
It brought only four forwards and two creative midfielders to South Africa, was not prepared to take risks and then criticized its opponents for "not wanting to play".
Some of the selections were inexplicable, such as the inclusion of former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson at the expense of Ronaldinho or Santos youngster Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The only source of midfield inspiration was Kaka, who was still regaining full fitness after a difficult debut season with Real Madrid.
Inspired by the rantings of Dunga on the touchline, the Brazilians harassed referees, received two red cards in five games and their matches against Ivory Coast, Portugal and the Netherlands were three of the most niggly at the World Cup.
Dunga placed the emphasis firmly on efficiency and tactical discipline but, instead of that, Brazil fell to pieces in the second half against the Dutch after conceding an equalizer out of the blue shortly after the break.
Playing uninspiring football and failing to win the World Cup is the worst possible combination in the eyes of the Brazilian public and Dunga's side is likely to join the 1966 and 1990 teams in being considered the worst the country has produced.
Dunga made it clear after Friday's stunning 1-2 defeat that his four-year cycle had ended, leaving Brazil to search for his successor.
The early speculation had 2002 World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari among the favorites. It will need a brave man to take on the job as, with Brazil hosting the competition, the pressure will be greater than ever.
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