 Brazil dreams one more time
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-06 09:32 Every four years Brazil flies off to the Olympic soccer tournament with high hopes and a strong squad -- only to return home each time with its tail between its legs. Astonishingly, the five-time World Cup winner has never picked up the gold medal at the Olympic soccer competition. It has won silver twice, in 1984 at Los Angeles and 1988 at Seoul, and the bronze in 1996 at Atlanta. National manager Dunga -- World Cup winning captain in 1994 -- is determined to end this losing streak in Beijing. This, despite the fact that a few of his leading players, including Kaka of AC Milan, have not been released by their clubs for the event while another, Robinho, of Real Madrid, has been ruled out with injury. The Kaka situation arises because of the complex eligibility rules for the Olympic men's tournament. It is limited to players who are 23 or younger (born on or after Jan 1, 1985), with each country being allowed to nominate three players who are older. While clubs have to release those under 23 they need not release the over-23s. The ace up Dunga's sleeve could be the inclusion in his squad of Ronaldinho, who only recently completed a move from Barcelona to AC Milan, and Fluminense central defender Thiago Silva. "Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva will take care of our problem," Dunga said. Ronaldinho was later named captain by Dunga. "This is a great responsibility which motivates me a lot as it is also a proof of confidence," Ronaldinho said. "I am very happy." Robinho was to be the third overage player in Brazil's roster, but Real decided not to release the striker because of an injury. Dunga replaced Robinho with 21-year-old Cruzeiro midfielder Ramires, leaving Brazil with only three strikers -- Rafael Sobis, Jo and Alexandre Pato. "Ramires can play several positions, he is a versatile player and will help us a lot," Dunga said. In addition to Robinho and Kaka, Dunga will be without AS Roma defender Juan, also not released by his club. Schalke defender Rafinha and Werder Bremen midfielder Diego -- both of whom qualify as under 23 -- did not have permission from their German sides, but have left their clubs to join the national team in Paris. Standing in Brazil's way to gold is South American archival Argentina, which has had more international success recently. In addition to winning the gold in Athens, it also defeated Brazil in the semifinals of the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands in 2005. Further, unlike Brazil, Argentina will have all its talents in Beijing, including youngsters Lionel Messi, 21, and Sergio Aguero, 20. The skills of these two have brought forth comparisons with the great Diego Maradona. "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi," Maradona himself has said about the forward. Aguero broke Maradano's record as the youngest player in Argentina's first division when he debuted for Independiente at 15 years, 35 days in 2003. He was the top-scorer in the 2005 under-20 worlds and now plays for Atletico Madrid. He has another connection with Maradona: he's dating the great man's daughter, Gianina. Dunga's Brazil has Ronaldinho. Will he be enough against Argentina's two Mark Two Maradonas? Agencies (China Daily 08/06/2008 page4) |
