China

Dunga: Beijing Games be Brazil's piority

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-18 10:00

Dunga said on Friday that his priority as Brazil's national team's head coach will be winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games 2008, which is to be hosted in Beijing, China. 　　

"That is a title that Brazil does not have yet. We will start 2007 by doing tests, giving priority to players at Olympic age," said the coach.

Next year, the team will play the Copa America in Venezuela, as well as launch its participation in the playoffs for the next World Cup, which will be held in South Africa in 2010.

"I want to have the team ready for the playoffs. Until then, we will try to observe the largest number of players as possible," added Dunga.

Since the first roster announced by Dunga, who took over the team in the end of July, he showed to be willing to renew the squad by drafting rookies and players who had never had the opportunity to play for Brazil. And some star players like Spains Barcelona midfielder/striker Ronaldinho, two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year Award, were left as second-choice, or not even drafted for the matches.

The strategy seems to be working. Out of five friendly games played by the team under Dunga's command, the final balance was four victories and one tie.