Brazil is a perennial favourite to win FIFA world cup. Even Brazil “B” team can give nightmares to many opponents. Brazil is hosting 2014 FIFA world cup and is looking very strong to win 2010 world cup after missing it in 2006. Defending champions of Copa America and Confederations cups are hot favourites to win soccer world cup. Brazilians are ready to take revenge for their poor performance at 2006 world cup (by their standards).
Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea
FIFA Rank: 1
Squad rating: 8/10
Won world cups in: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002
Recent performances at FIFA World Cups:
1994: won world cup by beating Italy in final
1998: Lost to France in final
2002: Won world cup by beating Germany
2006: Quarter-final (worst performance by Brazil standards)
Record: Brazil is the only country that participated in all FIFA world cups.
Qualification: They finished on top of tough South American qualifying group
Brazil soccer squad for 2010 FIFA World cup:
Coach: Dunga. He is captain of 1994 FIFA world cup winning team.
Goalkeepers:
1. Julio Cesar: Best goal-keeper in world on current form.
2. Heurelho Gomes:
3. Alexander Doni:
Defenders:
1. Lucio: Inter Milan rock is in very good form.
2. Maicon: Best right back in world. Lucio-Maicon-Julio Cesar combination at Inter Milan troubled even Barcelona in Champions League.
3. Dani Alves: Second best right back in word. He formed a deadly combination with Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
4. Michel Bastos:
5. Juan:
6. Gilberto:
7. Thiago Silva:
8. Luisao:
Mid-fielders:
1. Kaka: One of the best footballers in current football despite dip in form.
2. Elano:
3. Ramirez:
4. Felipe Melo:
5. Kleberson:
6. Julio Baptista:
7. Josue:
8. Gilberto Silva:
Forwards:
1. Luis Fabiano: Dangerous striker who can score goals at will. He is favourite to win Golden boot in 2010 world cup.
2. Robinho: He is not in top form but plays well for country. He can score wonder goals.
3. Nilmar:
4. Grafite: He is not in 2009 form.
Positives:
1. Players like Ronaldinho, Pato and Neymar failed to make to even probables list. That is the strength of Brazil team.
2. Dunga instilled a sense of union among its players. “Star egos” destroyed fortunes of Brazil at 2006 FIFA world cup.
3. Brazil is like Barcelona at international level. They have stars but more emphasis on team.
4. Unlike previous Brazil squads, this team may not have stars but have world class performers.
5. Brazil has best defence and most of them play for Inter Milan – more understanding.
6. Brazil has best goal keeper in world.
Negatives:
1. They are in “group of Death”.
2. Brazil teams used to instil fear among opponents. But, this team may not send tremors.
3. Mid-field and forward line is not looking very strong. Brazil is only team that is coming to world cup with just 4 strikers.
4. Brazil needs to defeat in-form Holland in quarterfinals.
Brazil soccer philosophy:
Old Brazil teams: Score more goals than opponents by using legendary strikers (attacking intent)
2010 Brazil teams: Give less goals than our forwards score by using compact defence
Final Verdict:
Brazil is perennial favourite team to win Football world cup. Brazil is the most successful team in the history of world cup. Players like Pato, Ronaldinho and Neymar failed to find place even in provisional squad – just imagine the strength of the squad.
Brazil coach built his team around committed players. He gave more importance to team and strategy and picked players who fit in his system (Theme: World cups win by teams but not stars).
Only Brazil and Argentina won world cups outside their continent.
Final team rating: 8/10.
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