For 55 months following their 2002 FIFA World Cup™ triumph,
Brazil sat proudly atop of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, a
seemingly immovable force. Not even a quarter-final exit at the
2006 FIFA World Cup could unseat the
Seleção, whose swift return to form under new coach Dunga
preserved their exceptional reign.
That was until February 2007, when a 2-0 defeat to Portugal
left them in the unfamiliar position of looking upwards: at world
champions Italy. Worse was to come. In March, Brazil slipped to
third behind the
Azzurri and new leaders Argentina, before the top two
exchanged slots the ensuing month.
The
Seleção did briefly reassume second spot, but by June they
were back in third having been outstripped by France. Worryingly,
with points accumulated in somewhat of purple patch exiting the
pockets of the
pentacampeões, teams appeared to be queuing up to plunge
them further down the ladder. Germany were within breathing space
of their Korea/Japan 2002 conquerors, with Argentina not far behind
and even Portugal, under the command of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the
man with whom Brazil embarked upon that period of ascendancy in
July 2002, jostling for places in the upper echelons of the
Ranking.
Victory in Venezuela
The Copa America Venezuela 2007 nonetheless provided Dunga
with a chance to claim Brazil a place at the FIFA Confederations
Cup South Africa 2009, and to crown his maiden year in coaching
with a title. It was an opportunity that the former FIFA World
Cup-winning captain grasped firmly. After an emphatic 6-1 reverse
of Chile in the last eight, the
Seleção sneaked into the final by overcoming Uruguay on a
penalty shootout, but then left nothing to chance in the decider,
beating heavily-fancied arch-rivals Argentina 3-0.
As euphoria swept across the nation, their coach was given an
additional cause to celebrate his maiden year in office this coming
Tuesday. Indeed, after a five-month hiatus from the coveted summit,
Brazil were restored to the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World
Ranking, marginally above the
Albiceleste, when the latest table was released on
Wednesday.
It was not the first time that Dunga's impelling
leadership had been the catalyst behind his country regaining pole
position. In his previous national team function, the midfield
enforcer skippered Brazil to glory at USA 1994, scoring what
ultimately proved to be the title-clinching penalty in their
shootout victory over Italy. This success immediately promoted the
South Americans to the head of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking,
which was a position they retained for an unprecedented six years
and ten months.
During this period, until his international retirement in
1998, Dunga was a cornerstone of the side. His influence was never
more apparent than at France 1998, when his intuitive orchestration
of play and vociferous presence propelled the
Seleção to the final. Although they lost out to the hosts,
Brazil's podium finish undoubtedly contributed towards them
remaining in first place on the Ranking for just short of another
three years.
Settling into the dugout
Given his characteristics as a player, Dunga was tipped to
make the transition into coaching with ease. In fact, when
Vanderlei Luxemburgo vacated the Brazil hot-seat in 2000, the FIFA
U-20 World Cup Mexico 1983 winner was among the CBF's
favourites to replace him. In spite of his repuation, however, he
chose not pursue a managerial role initially, but when the chance
to succeed his one-time boss Carlos Alberto Parreira was presented
to him following Brazil's elimination from Germany 2006, it was
an offer he found too tempting to refuse.
Although a surprise choice to many, Dunga has certainly
vindicated his appointment thus far. With spirits low following
their ill-fated FIFA World Cup camapign, he swiftly invigorated the
side and masterminded an emphatic 3-0 defeat of Argentina in London
in his second match in charge, before overseeing ensuing away wins
over Wales, Ecuador and Switzerland.
Moreover, his unmistakable barking of intructions from the
sidelines has appealed to the passionate Brazilian fans, while his
refusal to pick players based on their repuations alone has been
refreshing. Long-standing automatics Emerson, Kaka, Ronaldinho,
Ronaldo and Adriano have all been dropped over the last 12 months.
Upon his return to the side, Kaka delivered some outstanding
performances and Ronaldinho has also flickered the genius that was
inconspicuous on German soil, although the pair missed the recent
Copa America after their requests for a recess were granted.
Along with the likes of Ronaldo, the pair must now strive to
fight their way back into a squad which clinched Brazil an eighth
continental crown in Venezuela. It is a squad brimming with players
at top of their game, something which must, in part, be attributed
to Dunga's ability to evoke the best from his charges. Three
cases in point are Juan, Elano and Robinho, who have excelled under
the 43-year-old's tenure.
Dunga has had his sceptics of late, a circumstance of
Brazilians' insatiable desire to witness breathtaking football
every time their team take to the field. Nevertheless, their
defence of the Copa America title underlined the impressive
progress the
Seleção have made under his command. Consequently, when he
completes his first year in the international game's most
demanding job next week, he can pass a rewarding glance at the
first name on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: Brazil.
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