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July 6, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 07/06/2010

Brazil really disapointed at 2010 Fifa World Cup. And Dunga failed to be a coach for the first time in his career. From the 23 player roster choice we all knew that something was wrong.

Leaving talented players like Ronaldinho or Neymar and Ganso out of the competition costed Dunga a lot. Becaus when he needed to make changes on the team to win, he had no options better than Nilmar to change the pace of the game.

July 3, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 07/03/2010

With Brazil's defeat against Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup quarter finals, Dunga, as expected, has announced he would not continue as the national team's coach. With that, who might replace him?

If we think that in 2014 the World Cup will be played in Brazil and, specially in this edition, the home team must win, there's no doubt that the right choice would be Luiz Felipe Scolari. Unfortunately, the 2002 World Cup champion has just signed a new deal to coach the brazilian club Palmeiras.

June 28, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/28/2010

Besides the amazing record Brazil has against Chile in history, 44 wins in 63 games, the Seleção has another favorable factor against their World Cup opponent on this monday.

Robinho, the best player since Dunga became the national team's coach, simply loves to face the chileans. The winger has faced Chile four times in his career, having scored seven goals up to this point. "I've always had luck against Chile and was fortunate to score goals, but the most important thing is to advance", said the Santos's player.

June 23, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/23/2010

Almost two days after Dunga putting his arrogance to an unsupportable level, the explanation came. And seemed like it is a very understandable one.

Ever since he became Brazil's manager, Dunga has always said that, unlike other brazilians commanders, he wouldn't give preference to any journalistic vehicle. And for that reason he was probably a little out of himself during sunday's post-match press conference.

June 21, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/21/2010

Brazil played a great game against Ivory Coast on sunday. There's almost nothing you can put a mistake on. Almost. Because Dunga's arrogance with the press is simply unacceptable.

This is not the first time that the manager was arrogant with journalists. But some things have to have limits. Dunga must know how to win, and focus on that only. Not on attacking the press. And let's remember: For those of you who don't understand portuguese, he is the only player in history to lift the Fifa World Cup trophy using an appropriate language. "This f... is ours!", said the former brazilian captain in 1994 right after calling the media a "cheater".

June 15, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/15/2010

Of course, the first game in every tournament is very hard in any circumstance. But against North Korea, the worst ranked country in the World Cup, Brazil could have, and should have, played a lot better then it did this tuesday.

Especialy in the first half, Brazil played poorly, created very rare good plays, and worse: Kaká still seems like he is tottaly out of synch with himself. Real Madrid's midfielder made some stupid mistakes and he seems like needing more playing time.

Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/15/2010

Brazil will start the road to it’s sixth World Cup title this Tuesday. And let’s face it, the south Americans will have no problems in winning their three group stage matches and guaranteeing Group G’s first place.

The debut will be against a team ranked last between those that are in South Africa. North Korea will probably be the punch bag in this group. Both Portugal and Ivory Coast have lonely stars (Cristiano Ronaldo and Drogba, respectively) that don’t have teammates to help them.

June 13, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/13/2010

In the last four days, manager Dunga decided to not allow any press in Brazil's practice sessions in South Africa in three of them. And that's the total opposite of the last World Cup, which had training sessions open to journalists and the fans.

Some years after what happened in Germany, those practice session that looked more like a circus were considered the main cause of Brazil's elimination in the quarter-finals. Those "shows" in 2006 weren't good, but the 2010 preparation isn't good either.

June 12, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/12/2010

Since when Dunga arrived in Brazil's national team, Luis Fabiano has been the leading scorer under his management with 19 goals in 26 matches. Sevilla's striker also saved Dunga's head a coulpe of times when he was bouncing to get fired.

Even though he has done so much, and has his guarenteed spot in the team's offense, Fabiano has not been dealing with his bests performances in Brazil and Sevilla for the last few months.

June 11, 2010
Posted by Gustavo Faldon on 06/11/2010

Actually, there's a lot of Brazil in South Africa's national team that will play the first match of the 2010 World Cup because Carlos Alberto Parreira is brazilian and coached his nation in two other editions of the tournament (champions in 94, and quarter-finalist in 2006).

But now, the Bafana Bafana coach will have once again a tough challenge ahead and will try to break some records.

About

Gustavo Faldon is a Brazilian football fanatic and has lived the emotions of celebrating two World Cup titles as a fan. This time, he is celebrating the World Cup as a journalist that is working for ESPN's website in Brazil.

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