RIO DE JANEIRO, May 17 - Brazil coach Dunga was left juggling a hot potato on Thursday as he tried to explain why Kaka and Ronaldinho's request for a holiday did not clash with his demands for commitment.

Kaka and Ronaldinho have both asked to skip the Copa America in Venezuela on the grounds that they are tired after a long season in Europe.

Dunga has said since taking over that he wants players to feel that playing for their country is a privilege and an honour.

On Thursday, he struggled to avoid contradicting himself as he not only justified Kaka and Ronaldinho's requests but also included them for the friendlies against England and Turkey in early June.

To add to the dilemma, Dunga, who captained Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994 and the runners-up place four years later, admitted he never dreamt of making a similar request in his own playing days.

"There was one match when I was playing for a club in Japan. They said I could play for Brazil on the Wednesday as long as I was back in Japan for a match on Saturday," he said.

"I remember that I arrived back at midday and played in the game six hours later.

"There's nothing like wearing the Brazil shirt, when you see that everyone, from doctors and dentists to building workers, are all on the same side, rooting for the team and wanting the same thing.

"(Former coach Mario) Zagallo always said that the Brazil shirt was a second skin and that's how I felt."

Known for his never-say-die attitude as a player, Dunga was brought in last year as a response to Brazil's lacklustre performance at the World Cup when the team was seen as lacking spirit and ambition.

FIRST COMPETITION

On taking over, he said he wanted the players to give their body, mind, heart and soul for the national team.

But, barely one month before his first competitive matches at the helm, his top two players have asked for time off.

"When someone doesn't want to play, you can't force them," he said. "They didn't feel their holidays after the last World Cup were enough to give them time to fully recover."

"Kaka said two or three months ago that he wanted to play in every match but perhaps he didn't expect his team to reach the Champions League final.

"We would like to have all the players at the Copa America but we have to respect the thoughts of each player.

"It would be easier with them in the team but we have to find a solution, that's what I'm here for," said Dunga.

He added there would not be any reprisals.

"I don't think they will be marked in the future -- although I can't speak for the supporters."