FOOTBALL : Brazil coach Dunga has warned England they will need to learn how to dribble if they are going to make any impression on the World Cup favourites next summer.
Brazil coach Dunga has warned England they will need to learn how to dribble if they are going to make any impression on the World Cup favourites next summer.
While Fabio Capello could explain away their 1-0 defeat in Doha easily enough on being without a dozen senior players while Brazil were at full strength, he will also know his team failed to make any impact as an attacking force.
“If they couldn’t get past us they will have to learn to dribble then,” Dunga said. “But they got 11 men behind the ball themselves, so they know what it is like.”
Stand-in skipper Wayne Rooney and strike partner Darren Bent barely had a sight of goal, with Capello criticising his side for being too slow in possession.
But Dunga did have some words of praise though, believing Capello has made big improvements.
“They have changed,” he said. “They are still an aggressive team but they have other qualities as well.”
Admittedly those qualities were not easy to spot in a lacklustre encounter. There were moments of defensive solidity that Capello could be delighted with.
But for Brazil’s goal, Elano lifted a right-wing cross into the box for Nilmar and Matthew Upson and Wes Brown failed to spot his run between them. And another moment of hesitation by Brown almost got Manchester United team-mate Ben Foster sent off when he brought Nilmar down for the penalty Luis Fabiano skied over the bar.
“We didn’t start so well but generally our defending in the first half was good,” Capello said. “But we didn’t play with confidence and we were too slow in possession.
“It can be impossible to find space and be dangerous against Brazil and they win back the ball really quickly.”
