SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Brazil prepare for their World Cup opener

Record ID: 454382

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Brazil prepare for their World Cup opener
  • Date: 15th June 2010
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 14, 2010) (REUTERS) BRAZIL PLAYERS ENTERING ELLIS PARK PITCH FOR TRAINING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS WALKING MIDFIELDER KAKA WALKING ONTO PITCH MORE OF TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH DUNGA, SAYING: "I wouldn't say it's an injustice, I think it's a point of view, a squad that scored more than 100 goals has to have some creativity, we've conceded only 30 goals so we're a balanced team." VARIOUS OF TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH DUNGA, SAYING: "Germany doesn't play a spectacular game but they scored four goals, which is the best so far for any team. It's not about what we like and what we don't like, that's what we show on the pitch. It's a World Cup and the players must be ready for criticism and for the adrenaline. The players and team who can show the best balance can provide good soccer." VARIOUS OF PLAYERS DURING SPRINT EXERCISE GOALKEEPER JULIO CESAR CATCHING CROSS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH DUNGA, SAYING: "We have to congratulate the Asian teams who have evolved over recent years, they're no longer playing in their traditional style. In soccer it's 11 against 11 and whoever shows the best play on the pitch will win. Sometimes we believe that a certain team is the best but a soccer does not lie, soccer tells the truth. We must be focused and respect Korea and play at our best to win." PLAYERS STRETCHING DUNGA AND MEMBER OF TECHNICAL TEAM WATCHING KAKA SCORING PENALTY IN TRAINING
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9TD2Y7IAG2VEATW9AGUUU0OWH
  • Story Text: Brazil made their final preparations on Monday (June 14) for their Group G opening fixture against North Korea in Johannesburg on Tuesday (June 15).
    The five-times world champions will hope they can get their campaign to a strong start, especially as the next games are theoretically against tougher opposition in the Ivory Coast and Portugal.
    Dunga has been widely criticised for his squad selection. He has bought seven defensive midfielders to South Africa and left creative midfielders Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato behind.
    The Brazilian coach was asked if he felt he was unfairly criticised by the media for his management of the side.
    "I wouldn't say it's an injustice, I think it's a point of view, a squad that scored more than 100 goals has to have some creativity, we've conceded only 30 goals so we're a balanced team."
    Dunga said critics had similarly complained of Germany's playing style but cited their demolition of Australia on Sunday (June 13) as evidence that high organisation doesn't produce less of a spectacle.
    "Germany doesn't play a spectacular game but they scored four goals, which is the best so far for any team. It's not about what we like and what we don't like, that's what we show on the pitch. It's a World Cup and the players must be ready for criticism and for the adrenaline. The players and team who can show the best balance can provide good soccer."
    Dunga said Brazil need to be careful in avoiding any complacency in the match, as the North Koreans proved more than capable of beating world heavyweights in their last appearance at the finals in 1966.
    "We have to congratulate the Asian teams who have evolved over recent years, they're no longer playing in their traditional style. In soccer it's 11 against 11 and whoever shows the best play on the pitch will win. Sometimes we believe that a certain team is the best but a soccer does not lie, soccer tells the truth. We must be focused and respect Korea and play at our best to win," he added.
    North Korea's regional rivals, South Korea and Japan, have got off to good starts as they beat Greece and Cameroon respectively.
    Brazil and Argentina are the only two countries to have won a World Cup outside their own continent and will hope European sides will falter once again on foreign soil.
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