Reuters - Tue, 11 May 17:32:00 2010
Forward Adriano and former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho were left out of Brazil's World Cup squad as coach Dunga opted for a safety-first approach.
Dunga also refused to bow to pressure to call up Santos youngsters Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar, instead announcing a squad packed with defensive midfielders.
"Being conservative has brought results since the start," said Dunga, who has won the Copa America, Confederations Cup and South American World Cup qualifying group in little under four years as coach.
"We're not going to change everything in 15 days just because some people want us to," he said.
"We've created a winning philosophy in the Brazilian team. I ask the Brazilian fans to support us. It doesn't matter if they don't like me, but I ask them to support the team and be patriotic."
Under Dunga, Brazil have turned into a counter-attacking team who base their game on physical strength and ruthless finishing.
Although it has often proved effective, the five-times world champions have lacked ideas when facing teams with packed defences, and during the qualifying competition were held to goalless draws at home by Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia.
Ronaldinho was dropped by Dunga in April last year after a poor run of form at both international level and for his club AC Milan.
He has had a much improved season for the Serie A club but has not done enough to convince Dunga he deserves a recall.
Former Inter Milan striker Adriano, top scorer last year when Flamengo won the Brazilian championship, has struggled for form and with off-field issues and has played in roughly half his club's games.
"We don't take decisions in one day," Dunga said. "I ponder everything. You get to a point in which you can't lose command of the team because of certain attitudes.
"Adriano plays fantastic football and would have helped us a lot. We have picked him before to put him on the right track, but some things were repeated.
"He's had countless chances to revert the situation but there came a moment when we had to take a decision for the good of the team."
"My heart said one thing but reason said another."
Dunga's choice left Brazil heavily dependent on Kaka for midfield creativity and could leave them short of options if he gets injured.
VfL Wolfsburg striker Grafite, overlooked last year when he was the Bundesliga's top scorer with 28 goals, was included.
The 31-year-old was given a surprise call-up for February's friendly against Ireland, when he made only his second international appearance. His previous was in a friendly against Guatemala in 2005 when he scored his only international goal.
Brazil face Portugal, North Korea and Ivory Coast in Group G, which is one of the toughest pools in the tournament.
Full squad list:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur); Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan); Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg); Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).
Comment 20 - 39 of 39
BRAZIL most need ADRIANO against PORTUGAL and ADRIANO is also a top scorer of INTER MILAN
(continued) There will be a time, perhaps after the 2010 World Cup, that Brazil will hire a manager with a more traditional philosophy and when they do you can be sure that the country will have players at the managers disposal that will be more then capable of playing an attractive fluid football. Do i personally prefer an attacking style of play? Absolutely. But as a hardcore football fan who watches leagues from all around the world weekly, I see the beauty in tactics, defensive solidity, strength and counter-attacks as well. That is not to say that this kind of football can't be overdone as Mourinho did against Barcelona, but many people forget that although Manchester UTD is a primarily attacking team, they will use their strength, speed and experience to suck teams in and hit them on the counter as well.
As a brazilian i think there is something 'outsiders' need to understand. In terms of the national team, the brazilian people love to complain. I see a lot of similarities with the English fans and their team. The difference is, in the 18 World Cups Brazil have participated in they have reached the final 7 times and won it all 5 times. On another occasion (1982) Brazil played so shockingly well that they were considered the 'real' champions by many including Cruyff. The team tends to perform well in World Cups. Yet none of this keeps brazilians from complaining about the team selection, team tactics, manager, etc. Sometimes the complaints are valid, most of the times they are not.
Ronaldinho was given A BUNCH of chances to prove himself to to Dunga and he never did. Dunga even selected him to captain the Olympic team and he was absolutely terrible and clearly out of shape. It is not Dunga's fault that Ronaldinho decided to turn it up a notch this season. People forget that when Dunga became the manager, Kaka started off on the bench but he never complained. He worked hard and gained Dunga's respect. Today is one of the leaders of the team along with Lucio and Gilberto Silva. Adriano, quite simply, is not a professional. He get's away with things playing for his club team Flamengo that are unimaginable to the European football fan. He commonly skips training, is seen in bars, seen having barbeques in the favela, and currently weighs about 230lbs.
Brazilians and Brazil fans around the world should understand that the 'seleção' does not have a responsibility to anybody to play a certain way. Football is a game of eras, evolution and different times call for different measures. It was the choice of the CBF to select Dunga as national manager and this is what they get.
Ganso e neymar in baptista and the gnome josue place
THIS IS WHY PLAYERS LIKE DECO END UP CHANGING NATIONALITY, BECAUSE THERE ARE COACHES WHO END UP PERSONALISING SUCH ISSUES BECOZ THEY WANT TO TAKE THE GAMBLE OF DOING IT THEIR WAY AND THEN SAYING 'TOLD YOU SO' WHEN THEY WIN.
AK
have some faith in the squad puta! its better not to go in so cocky, other world class teams aren't afraid of ronaldinho, adriano, or pato anymore, they haven't been performing to their previous standards. does anybody remember the last world cup? Dunga has chosen who is playing well now and who has a good attitude i.e. wants to play for the squad and win. i respect that. we need a TEAM to play well together and not only individual superstars with their egos and pressures. Ronaldo only had a few seasons as the best ever then was completely forgotten. it's just a cycle of superstars in the eye of the media and any real football fan knows that. besides, underdogs deserve a chance to play and tend to perform well on a big stage.. how the hell do you think heroes are made?
He's the coach for Christ sake! He has to make his own decisions. . . I think he knows whats best for his side. . . Lets just watch and see what will happen come june 11!
Brazil are better of without him.they won copa America and confederations cup without him.Besides,he's to self centred.Whenever he talks he says"I want to win the world cup"instead of "We".He should put Brazil first before self and I believe that's what Dunga has done.Hala Tera De La Cruz!
WE've actually got a much better midfield than Brazil.
Dunga is out of his mind by not including RONALDINHO in his squad. Dinho is one of the best footballers you can find in the wolrd cup finals. I am a Ugandan but a Brazilian fan and am sorry to say that we are going to experience the biggest dissappointment we have nover seen in the history of Brazilian football. I am disappointed
i think is better Dunga will drop out of the squad & Ronaldinho go as a player coach.
Dunga pliz bring back Ronaldinho
What`s a chucking and crazy decided made by Dunga dunga. buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh...
The entire world was chocked that Ronaldinho was not included in the Brazilian team.
What`s a chucking and crazy decided made by Dunga dunga. buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh...
The entire world was chocked that Ronaldinho was not included in the Brazilian team.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....
Neymar should be included in the squad, he is the best Brazilian player at the moment,
and he has proved beyond doubt even at Santos. He even overshadowed Robinho. Ronaldihno should be included to bring stability to the team. The team picked for WC is just an average team.. Please bring on Neymar and Ronaldihno... Please
brazil is going down.... the midfield looks disastrous at the very least.. no Pato??
And, Dunga, I dont ask for much, I ask for you to be patriotic too. So I hope you resign as soon as possible. You're ridiculous with what you just did with this team.
Brazil should play attacking football, Brazil is not Italy. It is not a traditional defensive team, and your picks of midfielder horrify me. To just name Baptista, Gilberto Silva in the squad is one of the most horrible things a coach could do. Even Roma doesnt play Baptista anymore. Your choice doesnt base on form, but your own preference and bias. A very conversative coach, and you will only ruin Brazil. Just because you won the confederation cup, it doesnt wipe away your past goalless and horrible results in the qualifying rounds. Wake up, this isnt brazilian football.
It is a shame that we won`t get to see quality players such as Pato and Ronaldinho play in the world cup but Dunga is the manager, he knows that if things go wrong that its his head on the line. Look at teams who have been winning world cups besides Brasil and the style of football being played, its all defensive. The Italians and the Germans are kings at holding onto 1-0 leads and going far if not winning world cups. The beautiful game rarely succeeds except for Spain who played amazingly in the Euros. Organization and defending well wins tournaments such as the world cup. I would love to see Brasil and their flair but have to sadly agree with Dunga`s policy of caution. Good luck to them, Brazillians are fantastic people.
Where the *$%& is Pato???????
Dunga is an @#$% . Honestly how canyou leave out Pato and ronaldinho and take players like grafite and no neymar all thet defence is going to lead to brazil getting a lot of goals especially from portugal and ivory coast
dunga you moron what the hell are you doing-saying-"we created a winning philosophy in Brazil" brazil had always winning philosophy.......they won 5 WC apsolutley the best team in the world which play the best attacking game alongside barcelona..........common people would you like to see BRASIL playing a closed game on counter attacks no matter which national team you support....they are a synonym,symbol,model of attacking game every kid grove up watching their game and dream someday to play like a brazilian footballer,..............i hope they loose games against PORTUGAL and IVORY COAST so they can go home immediatly,SORRY FOR EVERY BRASILIAN FAN HERE BUT DUNGA IS OUT OF HIS HEAD..........COMMON RONALDINHO IS THE BEST EVER FOOTBALLER IN HISTORY,HE MAKES MAGIC WITH THE BALL.............he(DUNGA) says BRAZIL plays on physical strength and ruthless finishin ADRIANO CAN CARE ON HIS SHOULDER ALL THIS PLAYERS TOGETHER ON THIS FUUUCKING LIST WITH NO SENSE................i hope they get destroyed in groups so next time don't make the same mistake............
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