by Written on May 28, 2010 There is a select few countries that would announce that anything but raising the trophy above their heads will suffice.
Dunga has laid down a challenge to his Brazil team that all 23 men will be expected to accomplish come the 11th of July.
Brazil are in arguably the toughest group in the competition. And they will have to step up to the plate and deliver.
The South American masters of football will want nothing more than to finish top of their group.
If Brazil where to fail to secure first place in Group G, they could face a Last 16 tie against Spain, which is something that both Brazil and Spain would rather avoid until later in the competition, and is the match-up that most expect to contest the World Cup final.
Korea DPR - 15th June
Despite being in one of the toughest groups in the competition, Brazil's opening game is somewhat of a conciliation.
Brazil will be expected to win their opening game against Korea DPR, which is not a certainty for the South Americans, but is without doubt the easier of their three group games.
If Dunga's men happen to be a little lackluster in their opening game they may not be punished as servilely against the Korean's as the may have been if they where facing off against one of their other group opponents.
Korea DPR have been in just one previous World Cup tournament back in 1966.
The Korean side consists of 22 players who play their club football in either North Korea or Japan.
The main goalscoring threat will come from Hong Yong-Jo, who is the only member of the squad who plays elsewhere.
Yong-Jo is the team captain and plays his club football in Russia for FC Rostov.
There is talk from the Korean camp that the coach is expected to play a 5-4-1 formation.
If this is in-fact true, the Brazilian team will be foaming at the mouth. Both full-backs will play the game as secondary wingers and Korea will face 90 minutes of "back against the wall" defending.
Like all Asian teams, Korea DPR are workhorses. They will chase every ball and every cause.
Brazil will be expected to win this game and they will have to win it to ensure that they get their campaign off on the right track.
The yellow and green will obtain all three points from opening game and could not ask for a better game to get their performance levels up and their goal scoring touch refined.
However, any mistakes from the Brazilians in this game will be seen as a sign of weakness from both Portugal and Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast - 20th June
Brazil will face their first real test in their second game of the competition against Ivory Coast, a team that many predict can go deep in the World Cup this year.
Ivory Coast qualified for the World Cup unbeaten from the Confederation of African Football group stages.
As good as that sounds the Ivorian team came up against the likes of Mozambique, Botswana and Burkina Faso.
Ivory Coast's main attacking threat will come from this year's Premier League top goalscorer, Didier Drogba.
As good as Drogba is he can not carry the Ivory Coast past such quality opponents like Brazil.
The biggest weapon Dunga has to combat Drogba is Lucio.
Lucio kept Drogba at bay over both legs of Inter Milan's Champions League encounter with Chelsea.
The Brazilian defender has a perfect mix of strength and pace to handle Drogba.
The same can not be said for Ivory Coast's main centre-half Kolo Toure, who will have his hands tied trying to restrain Luis Fabiano.
The Ivory Coast have the ability to cause a shock, but if man for man Brazil are far superior.
If Kaka managed to find his stride at the World Cup, either Didier Zokora or Yaya Toure will find it impossible to keep up with the midfield maestro.
This game will be won in the midfield. Despite the quality players that Ivory Coast have at their disposal, the Brazilian midfield is far greater in depth and experience.
The game will be close in scoring but it hard to see how the Ivory Coast will breakdown the defense and out score Brazil.
Portugal - 25th June
Brazil will close out Group G with a match against Portugal, which for Brazil should be a lot easier than many people think.
Portugal have an array of attacking talent. Ronaldo, Danny, Simao, and Nani all have blistering pace and love running at the back four.
But it is the rest of the Portugal team that get overlooked as the teams weakness.
The defense consists of many aging and average players such as Paula Ferreira, Miguel and Duda. The two best centre-half Portugal have are Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho, who have both seen better days.
Portugal have a very inexperienced group of goalkeepers, with all four goalies sharing just 14 international caps.
If all things go to plan in Brazil's first two games then a draw with Portugal should be enough for them to win the group.
Portugal have showed in previous games that if you limit their attackers space they find it very hard to score.
Brazil's full-backs will have to be at the most disciplined against Portugal to hold their opposing wingers at bay.
In Maicon and Dani Alves, Brazil are blessed with two full-back with pace to burn. They should be more than capable of preventing and damage that can be caused by the Portuguese flanks.
Once Brazil can be disciplined at the back then it will be a matter of time before they can penetrate the Portugal defense and make chances of their own.
There is no reason why Brazil can not top the group with a full compliment of nine points.
Again I don't see Brazil setting Portugal on fire with a gluttony of goals, however they should be more than capable of outperforming their opponents yet again.
I can't see any reason why Brazil can not go all the way in South Africa. If Brazil fail it can only be a self-inflicted loss that will hamper their quest for their sixth World Cup trophy.
Posted by Remesh BCG for Brazil fans.... :)
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