Dunga condemms Portugal's tactics

DURBAN // Dunga, the Brazil coach, blasted the negative tactics of Group G rivals Portugal last night, following a dour, scoreless draw in Durban that was enough for both teams to progress to the last 16. With Kaka, Brazil's suspended playmaker, watching from the sidelines, Dunga's group winners failed to find any sustainable rhythm and Portugal, marshalled superbly by the centre-back pairing of Ricardo Carvalho and Bruno Alves, comfortably contained Fifa's No 1 ranked side. With Robinho, the Manchester City forward, ruled out before kick-off with a minor injury, the five-time world champions failed to break down a Portuguese outfit content to stifle and play on the counter-attack. Dunga, speaking at the game's post-match press conference, did little to hide his disappointment at the effective containment game-plan of the Portuguese. "It was a difficult game," he said. "The Portuguese team defended from the midfield backwards and that made it very difficult to penetrate their defence. "It was a very tough game right until the very end. We had qualified, they had not. We aren't happy because we always play to win." Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach, did not see the match in the same terms. "It was a great spectacle, a feast of football," Queiroz said. "Brazil played well, but after their initial period of domination, Portugal started to control the game and we attacked whenever we had possession. "It became a game where we attacked, they defended and vice versa. It was a great game of football, the players played extremely well and a draw is a just result. Now we can celebrate our qualification to the round of 16." A scrappy first half saw Benito Archundia, the Mexican referee, hand out seven yellow cards as both sides struggled to control the cluttered midfield. Fifteen minutes passed before an opportunity of any note and, with Brazil the brighter side, it was Julio Cesar, the Samba goalkeeper, who was called into action first. Fabio Coentrao, Portugal's rampaging left-back, raced down the flank and fired in a cross that Julio Cesar did well to punch clear. Cristiano Ronaldo's follow-up was blocked, but Portugal had signalled their intent: defend first and threaten on the break. Three minutes later, strong running and an accurate delivery from the impressive Coentrao ended with Tiago, a two-goal hero against North Korea, volleying wide from the edge of the box. Brazil responded through Luis Fabiano's hustling and harrying up front, but for all their intelligent passing and possession-orientated play, Dunga's side lacked penetration. Brazil, the only national team to have played in every World Cup, became increasingly frustrated and Fabiano was the first player to enter Archundia's book when he went in late on midfielder Pepe. Yellow cards for opposing defenders Juan (handball) and Duda (dissent) followed, before Tiago was cautioned for diving in the box when Portugal made another telling attack. Fabiano, unchallenged, then headed wide from full-back Maicon's inch-perfect delivery, before Dunga was forced to substitute Felipe Melo after the recalled Pepe, drafted in as Portugal's midfield minder, raked his studs down the Juventus enforcer's Achilles. Initially, Melo stayed on the pitch, but a vengeful block on Pepe moments later forced Dunga to act and Josue, the Wolfsburg midfielder, entered the fray. The second half brought more of the same and, with Ronaldo wasting several long-range free-kick attempts, neither goalkeeper was particularly busy. "We tried to attack in the last five minutes, but Portugal didn't try to attack at all," Dunga said. "They played to defend. My team, Brazil, is always ready to attack, even in the last five minutes of the game." Portugal, in contrast to Dunga's rather one-sided synopsis, wasted the game's best chance. Ronaldo's powerful run ended with the recovering Lucio, imperious throughout, sliding the ball into the path of the onrushing Raul Meireles. Inexplicably, the FC Porto midfielder could only stab his effort wide from four-yards out, although Julio Cesar had raced out to intercept. Dunga, gesturing wildly from the touchline as Brazilian pass after Brazilian pass failed to find a yellow shirt, played safe and hauled off Fabiano and Julio Baptista - selected in Kaka's absence - to preserve a point. With his personnel changes, including the 53rd-minute introduction of Simao, Quieroz went for the victory, but to no avail. emegson@thenational.ae

Dunga condemms Portugal's tactics

The Brazil coach blamed the Group G rivals following a dour, scoreless draw that was enough for both teams to progress to the last 16.