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Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, the Brazilians are easily the most recognized footballing nation in the globe. The last World Cup was won under the tutelage of Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2002 in a squad that included a naïve yet talented Ronaldhino and a striker who had the world at his feet known as Ronaldo. In the 2006, Brazil lost out in the quarter finals to runners up France thanks to a strike from Thierry Henry.
Brazil are ranked no.1 in the FIFA World rankings and find themselves in Group G. Their Group consists of European giants Portugal who are ranked 3rd in the world. Ivory Coast no.27 and DPR Korea no.106 are also part of this group of death. Brazil and Portugal are the undoubted favourites to go through to the round of 16, with Ivory Coast out to play spoiler.(read more)
Brazil's qualification didn't come without any stutter. The Little Canaries won only half of their 18 games drawing 7 and losing 2. Though they won their group, Dunga's men had both Chile and Paraguay breathing down their necks. They had both the strongest attack and defence in the 10 team qualifying group.
Brazil took part in the Confederations Cup last year in South Africa and won the tournament defeating USA 3-2 in the finals after going down 2-0. Kaka was named player of the tournament and Luis Fabiano won the golden boot. The tournament consisted of World Cup winners Italy and five other continental champions Spain, USA, Iraq, Eqypt and New Zealand. World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa were also participants.
Brazil open their campaign against World Cup minnows DPR Korea who are playing in just their second FIFA World Cup. The opener should be a walk in the park unless some miracles helps the underdogs pull of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Ivory Coast will provide stiff opposition and will be quite a contrast to Brazil's fluent football. A victory in the two opening games should help Brazil ease their way through to the round of 16. The game against Portugal will be arguably the biggest game of the group stage and hopefully a great spectacle and not two reserve squads getting game time.
Key Players:
Alexandre Pato is Brazil's pallbearer. He is the future of Brazilian football and despite having a sub-par domestic season, the lad from Pato Branco can set the international stage ablaze. He has a decent eye for goal and has great on and off ball skills.
Kaka is easily the biggest superstar in the Selecao and one would expect the Real Madrid playmaker to run circles around opposition defences. The former World Player of Year has great shooting and passing abilities and though his approach may seem more direct in comparison to Robinho and the likes, Kaka is more effective than anyone on that roaster and his form will be vital for Brazil's progress.
Maicon has had a sensational season with Inter Milan and though with all of Brazil's attacking flair his talents on the flank may not be fully utilized, his ability to adapt will be extremely crucial. The full back can both defend and score goals, a rarity in the modern game.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City).
Top Goal Scorers: Kaká (26), Luís Fabiano (25)
Most Capped Players: Lúcio (89), Gilberto Silva (86)
Head Coach: Dunga
Form Guide: (WWLDL)
Oct 11, Bolivia 2-1 Brazil
Oct 14, Brazil 0-0 Venezuela
Nov 14, England 0-1 Brazil
Nov 17, Estonia 0-1 Brazil
Mar 02, Ireland 0-2 Brazil
Fixtures:
15-Jun: Brazil vs. DPR Korea 8:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
20-Jun: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast 8:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
25-Jun: Portugal vs. Brazil 4:00pm (GMT) - Match Report
Team Trivia
Brazil is the World's most successful team winning the World Cup 5 times, scoring the most number of goals (201) and appearing in all of the previous 18 World Cups. They have only not won a game in World Cup finals in 1934, where they lost their only game to Spain.
Also Read:
Group Competitior Previews: Portugal, Ivory Coast, DPR Korea
File Photograph Copyright: Daly3d
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