Dunga in firing line as Brazil visit Chile
Reuters - Thursday 04 September 2008, 16:27
BUENOS AIRES - Brazil visit Chile in a
World Cup qualifier on Sunday knowing defeat could hasten the
downfall of beleaguered coach Dunga.
Second-placed Argentina, buoyed by the gold medal won by
their under-23s at the Beijing Olympics, host leaders Paraguay
on Saturday while Peru coach Jose Del Solar goes into the game
against Venezuela with his job also on the line.
Brazil have slumped to fifth in the table with nine points
from six games, one point behind Chile.
The top four qualify automatically while fifth place would
condemn Brazil, the only team to have played at all previous 18
World Cup finals, to a two-legged playoff against a nation from
the CONCACAF region for a place in South Africa.
A 2-0 defeat in Paraguay followed by a goalless draw at home
to Argentina in June meant the pressure mounted on Dunga before
his decision to lead the Olympic team backfired when they
managed only a bronze medal.
"This is all normal, it's not the first nor the last time
that this happens with the Brazil team," Dunga told reporters.
"The most important thing is the squad keeps working. We
must base our work on criteria, on concepts and on professional
conduct."
KAKA OUT
Brazil are missing playmaker Kaka, who had an operation on
his left knee in June, and midfielder Anderson has withdrawn
through injury.
Ronaldinho, who played in the Olympics as an over-age player
but failed to shine, has been included in the squad and could
make his first full international appearance since the 2-1 win
over Uruguay in November.
Paraguay's excellent strike duo of Roque Santa Cruz and
Salvador Cabanas are doubtful for Saturday's visit to Buenos
Aires while Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago is suspended.
In Saturday's other games Colombia, third on 10 points, host
sixth-placed Uruguay (eight) in Bogota while Ecuador (five) face
Bolivia (four) in Quito.
Peru, bottom on three points, meet Venezuela (seven) in Lima
in their first match since a 6-0 thrashing by Uruguay in June.
Coach Del Solar omitted strikers Claudio Pizarro and
Jefferson Farfan, who are available again after having 18-month
bans for indiscipline slashed to three.
Striker Paolo Guerrero is also missing as he begins a
six-match international ban for his sending-off against Uruguay
when he insulted the referee.
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