The coach of Brazil is "Dunga." That's it, just Dunga. If there
was ever the epitome of the Brazilian soccer culture, it's that
even their coach goes by a single name.
Carlos Caetano Bledorn "Dunga" Verri was first a player too, of
course. He captained the 1994 World Cup winning Brazilian team.
Past glory and one-name recognition isn't helping him much
though as he continues to deal with one of the most unusual
coaching criticism campaigns ever.
Brazil is unbeaten and headed to the quarterfinals of the World
Cup after taking Chile out behind the woodshed here 3-0 Monday
night. Yet Dunga still faces an army of skeptics who are more
interested in how Brazil wins, not just that it wins.
Upon being named national coach in 2006, Dunga installed a
defensive-minded, counter-attack style that ran counter to the
Brazilians' famed flair, freedom and offensive fireworks. It hasn't
been met with much enthusiasm among some fans, media and former
players, even as the team keeps winning international tournaments
(Copa America and Confederations Cup).
"Today's Brazilian footballing style is an affront to our
culture," said former star Socrates, a one-namer himself.
That's just part of Dunga's popularity problems. While he
captained that Cup champion in '94, he was never the flashy hero of
other one-name stars such Pele, Garrincha, Zizinho, Ronaldinho and
now Kaka. His style of play was tough and physical.
Besides, Dunga is Portuguese for "dopey," a nickname he acquired
as a kid in reference to the dwarf of Snow White fame. And "Dunga"
doesn't really roll off the tongue like Ronaldo does.
Leading into this World Cup, dopey was about the nicest thing
Dunga was called. It may be time for the critics to go quiet
because this so-called affront to the Brazilian culture is marching
onto a heavyweight quarterfinal match with the Netherlands on
Friday.
Brazil dominated all over the field Monday. The Selecao
suffocated the Chilean offense and made brilliant offensive plays
when the time was right.
Eighteen days into the World Cup and Brazil is still a
favorite.
"Everybody expresses their own preferences," Dunga said of the
critics.
"I like winning."