Brazil plan early goal against dangerous USA

Brazil coach Dunga says his team will press for an early goal against the United States in the Confederations Cup final Sunday, but they remain wary of Bob Bradley’s dangerous side.

The South American champions, who Dunga called the best team in the world, are looking to defend the title they won in Germany four years ago and the players are highly motivated.

“It will be a game requiring patience, but we will be looking to score early,” he said, adding that Brazil’s 3-0 defeat of the United States in the group stages was history.

“The game against the US in the group stages was one thing, Sunday will be different. We’ll try to apply our normal rhythm, keep possession as long as possible and make the best use of our territorial play.

“The US are tactically very strong and dangerous on the counter-attack and raise a lot of difficulties because they can sustain it for 90 minutes. They are complicated adversaries.

“In order to beat Spain, you have to have ability and you have to have merit and the US showed they had those things and more.”

While the United States are in the final after upsetting Spain, Brazil made it through by sneaking past South Africa with a late Daniel Alves goal – their sixth game in 19 days, and they have won them all.

Despite the intense schedule, Dunga said his young team remained highly motivated with the honour of playing for their country driving them on.

“This team has achieved what it has because of its work ethic,” he said.

“These players were already kicking balls in the mother’s tummies. They are exceptionally motivated and proud to play for Brazil. It’s the dream of every Brazilian youngster.

“They have been together 19 days playing games, but they never complain, they always smile, they are always ready for more.

“They are very, very proud to be playing for the team and that is why they are winners.”

Dunga, who has been at the helm for three years, added that their approach to Sunday’s match was to be calm and take nothing for granted, despite winning 14 of their 15 previous encounters.

He said the players knew what they had to do and there was little more advice he could offer at this stage of the competition.

“I try to convey a spirit of tranquillity,” he said.

“They know what they have to do, they are motivated, so it’s more a question of fine tuning certain points.”

Asked if he was surprised at the way his team was playing, Dunga said he hoped it proved the sceptics wrong.

“I’m of course very happy because when I started three years ago people said we wouldn’t be able to move ahead and I believe we now have the best team in the world,” he said.

“Everyone respects each other and we have created a very strong team after three years of work. We now have players who understand each other and who have the commitment to go on and win the World Cup.”