WC2010 review: Brazil

Every time the World Cup comes around, Brazil are expected to do well and this year was no exception.

Dunga’s Samba Kings started equal favourites with eventual winners Spain but their tournament did not start in the greatest of ways with a struggling 2-1 win over lowly North Korea.

They swiftly stepped things up and come the Round of 16 clash with Chile, they were back to their best with a seemingly easy 3-0 victory.

However, they fell to Holland in the next phase of the competition and their dream of an unprecedented sixth world title was over as was Dunga’s tenure as manager.

Brazil hero Romario said there can be none of this in the next World Cup in 2014.

“It’s very simple: winning the title’s an absolute necessity for A Seleção in 2014, and the only pressure that will be on the players is the pressure to win,” he told FIFA.com. “It can’t be any other way. The president of the country and Ricardo Teixeira, the President of the CBF (Brazilian Football Federation), have already said 2014 is the biggest thing there is, bigger than anything we’ve had since 1950. The responsibility is huge for the players and the coaching staff because the World Cup is coming back to Brazil after 64 years. We have to use our skill and be the champions.”

Finished: 6th
Record: Wins – 3; Draws – 1; Losses – 1; Points – 7
Matches: North Korea (2-1), Ivory Coast (3-1), Portugal (0-0), RO16-Chile (3-0), QF-Holland (1-2)
Goals: 9
Against: 3

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Douglas Maicon (Maicon was brilliant in his attacking role from right-back, scoring a scorcher as well as defending resolutely)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Julio Cesar 450
Douglas Maicon 450
Gilberto Silva 450
Lucio 450
Juan 450

Top scorers
Luis Fabiano 3
Elano 2
Robinho 2
Douglas Maicon 1
Juan 1

Total shots
Dani Alves 13
Luis Fabiano 11
Robinho 11
Kaka 8

Pass Completion Rate
Felipe Melo 90%
Gilberto Silva 86%
Juan 86%
Lucio 83%

Most Fouls
Michel Bastos 13
Luis Fabiano 10
Dani Alves 7
Robinho 7

Yellow cards
Ramires 2
Juan 1
Kaka 1
Felipe Melo 1
Luis Fabiano 1
Michel Bastos 1

Red cards
Kaka 1 (2 yellow cards)
Felipe Melo 1

Saves
Julio Cesar 13