Dunga off the hook... for now
Reuters - Monday 08 September 2008, 15:47
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil's 3-0 World Cup
qualifying win away to Chile on Sunday has given some breathing
space to coach Dunga, who had been facing the possibility of the
sack in the case of defeat.
Dunga's side began the game sixth in the 10-team South
American group, outside the qualifying places for South Africa,
but jumped to second after flooring Chile with their physical
strength and ruthless finishing.
Brazil had failed to score in their previous three games,
including defeats against Venezuela and Paraguay, a performance
blamed on Dunga's ultra-cautious tactics.
The situation worsened when the Olympic team, which Dunga
also coached, won only a bronze medal in Beijing last month
after losing 3-0 to arch-rivals Argentina in the semi-finals.
Even President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva joined the
criticism, saying that Argentina forwards such as Lionel Messi
chase back when they lose the ball while Brazilian strikers
expect the defence to clear up after them.
Dunga produced a more positive line-up in Santiago on
Sunday, with three forwards and a free role given to Diego in
midfield.
"I imagine that not just the president but all Brazilians
will be happy, especially with the way Brazil behaved," Dunga
said after the game.
"We always have three obligations. To win, score lots of
goals and put on a show. Brazil is the only country where this
happens. And it's not always possible because we are human
beings."
HARD TACKLING
Media reaction was generally positive although the
influential daily O Globo, which filled its front Olympic page
with a tombstone and a mock obituary after the Argentina defeat,
was lukewarm.
"The team saves Dunga's neck," read a headline on its
website.
The result may also have been a disappointment to many fans
who have been hoping for an end to Dunga's reign.
Formerly a hard-tackling, snarling midfielder who captained
the 1994 World Cup winning side, Dunga was brought in two years
ago following Brazil's lacklustre campaign at the 2006 World
Cup.
He had no senior coaching experience at the time but it was
hoped he would reinstall commitment and pride in the national
team, which many felt had gone missing.
However, his habit of filling the midfield with tackling
specialists such as Gilberto Silva, Josue and Mineiro had become
deeply unpopular.
Brazil's game against Bolivia in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday
will provide a useful gauge of his popularity.
The coach was jeered and goaded with chants of "Goodbye
Dunga" during the 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw at home to
Argentina in June, when the Belo Horizonte crowd provocatively
gave a standing ovation to rival forward Messi.
"I hope they behave like the Chileans here," said Dunga,
when asked what he expected in Rio.
"In any part of the world, we are always treated in the best
possible way. If we had that in Brazil, we would certainly play
better."
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