Brazil coach rules out drastic changes for Uruguay match

SAO PAULO: Brazilian national coach Carlos Dunga stood up for the team’s superstars on Monday in the face of criticism in the media, and he ruled out any drastic changes for today’s match against Uruguay in Sao Paulo.

“We have two days to train and play ... I do not think we should modify the team all the time, because the players would then lose their self-confidence. If within five or six games things are not going well, then we will have to make changes,” the coach said in a press conference in Sao Paulo.

On Sunday Brazil drew 1-1 against Peru in Lima, and the winners of five World Cups are now third in South America’s qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with five points in three games. Argentina top the table with nine points, while Paraguay have seven.

Dunga tried to defend his players – particularly Ronaldinho and Robinho – from the criticism of the Brazilian media.

The coach noted that these players, along with fellow superstar Kaka, are not to blame for the lack of attacking effectiveness shown by Brazil in two away games in the qualifiers. Brazil drew 0-0 in Colombia and also failed to win in Peru.

“We do not just depend on the three, we have to have collective play. We will only solve our problems in the team if we think jointly,” said Dunga.

He admitted that he has not yet had time to set up a tactical scheme for the national team. However, Dunga expressed great confidence that the problems shown so far will be overcome.

“The longer we train together, the better we will be,” he said.

Dunga stressed that he is not worried about Brazil’s current third place in the qualifiers.

“We played two games away and one at home. The important thing is to qualify, to secure a spot in the World Cup.

“When that has been achieved, we will think about getting to the top. In 2002 we qualified third and we became world champions. And in 2006 we qualified first and we did not win the Cup,” Dunga recalled.

He declined to give hints as to the team’s starting line-up against Uruguay, but he noted the only sure absence is that of the central defender Lucio, Brazil’s captain, who is suspended for one game after his second booking of the series in the qualifiers.