2006: The quiet after the storm

Written by Nicholas Savage , 05.01.2007

http://www.sambafoot.com/en/articles/203_2006_The_quiet_after_the_storm_page_1.html

2006 will not be remembered as a good year for Brazilian football. The World Cup in Germany brought Carlos Alberto Parreira’s men back down to Earth. Having entered as clear favourites victory had seemed certain.

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The reasons for this failure are numerous: over confidence, physical and mental tiredness of the players and problems in preparation. For a Brazil team seen as such strong favourites to exit so early, meant heads would roll. The first,like always, being that of Carlos Parriera.

But it was not just the Coach's fault. Lots of the squad's preparations were prepared by CBF president Ricardo Teixeira, who decided to invite 20,000 people at 15 euros each to watch the team train. The consequences were big, it clearly affected the teams bonding and physical preperation in Switzerland.

However before an inquiry could point the finger, Teixeira appointed the former captain of the Seleção Carlos Dunga, 1994 World Champion as the next coach of Brazil. Considered an honest, hard working player, Dunga played in the German and Italian leagues and knows European football. He quickly moved the team in a new direction. Dropping the "stars" who had failed at the world cup and introducing many new players into the squad.

Enter Elano, Fred, Daniel Carvalho and many more. After only 6 months, there seems to be a new spirit around Brazil.

Dunga’s Brazil remained undefeated through 2006 and have played some excellent games including their 3-0 thrashing of sworn enemy Argentina on the 3rd of September in London.

Dunga’s discipline and team building - two qualities which had not really any more existed for several years in the national team - now seem to be the corner stone of the new look Brazil. From now on, Brazil can begin to dream of glory once again...

But the year wasn’t all bad for Brazilian football, Abel Braga’s Internacional Oporto Alegre d' won the Copa do Libertadores and then managed to defeat European champions FC Barcelona in the World Club Championship in Japan, giving the Brazilian supporters something to cheer about.

2007 will see Brazil compete in the Copa América and the first rounds of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.