Group G contenders
Brazil Korea DPR
Ivory Coast
Portugal
Route to the finals
The only nation to have competed in every World Cup finals since the tournament began in 1930, qualified for South Africa 2010 as winners of the South American zone.
Their progress was not as comprehensive as it might appear, however, with seven draws and two losses included in the 18-match campaign leaving them just one point ahead of Chile and Paraguay in the final standings.
There were several notable performances, however, including a 3-1 victory over Argentina in Rosario and a 4-0 drubbing of Uruguay in Montevideo.
Scoring goals, as usual, should not be a problem for the Samba Boys.
Manager
As a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, Dunga will hope to join compatriot Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer as the only men to win the tournament as both player and coach this summer.
As a player, Dunga was a workmanlike midfielder, breaking up play and doing things simply, he was never adored like some of his Brazilian team-mates but his performances produced results. Perhaps that is why some of the followers of the
Auriverde were quick to criticise the numerous goalless draws that the side picked up during qualification.
All would no doubt be forgiven, however, if Dunga could deliver a sixth tournament victory.
Player watchIn Julio Cesar Brazil have one of the finest keepers in the world, a boast they have not always been able to make in years gone by.
The Inter stopper provides a defensive rock on which to build and they have done that with the likes of Lucio, Maicon (both Inter), Dani Alves (Barcelona) and Thiago Silva (Milan) in their defensive line-up.
Of course, the Brazilians have never been that worried about defence and with the likes of Kaka (Real Madrid), Robinho (Man City on loan at Santos) and Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) their attacking potency still remains.
Competition History
First appearance: 1930
No. of appearances (inc 2010): 19
Best result: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2008)
Matches against England: 23
Squad
Goalkeepers |
|
|
1 |
Júlio César |
Internazionale, ITA |
12 |
Gomes |
Tottenham Hotspur, ENG |
22 |
Doni |
AS Roma, ITA |
Defenders |
|
|
2 |
Maicon |
Internazionale, ITA |
3 |
Lúcio |
Internazionale, ITA |
4 |
Juan |
AS Roma, ITA |
6 |
Michel Bastos |
Olympique Lyon, FRA |
13 |
Dani Alves |
FC Barcelona, ESP |
14 |
Luisão |
Benfica, POR |
15 |
Thiago Silva |
AC Milan, ITA |
16 |
Gilberto |
Cruzeiro, BRA |
Midfielders |
|
|
5 |
Felipe Melo |
Juventus, ITA |
7 |
Elano |
Galatasaray, TUR |
8 |
Gilberto Silva |
Panathinaikos, GRE |
10 |
Kaká |
Real Madrid, ESP |
17 |
Josué |
VfL Wolfsburg, GER |
18 |
Ramires |
Benfica, POR |
19 |
Julio Baptista |
AS Roma, ITA |
20 |
Kléberson |
Flamengo, BRA |
Forwards |
|
|
9 |
Luis Fabiano |
Sevilla FC, ESP |
11 |
Robinho |
Santos, BRA |
21 |
Nilmar |
Villarreal CF, ESP |
23 |
Grafite |
VfL Wolfsburg, GER |