After going into the 2006 World Cup as a consensus favorite and falling in the quarterfinals, Brazil chose former hard man midfielder Dunga to put the Samba boys back on track.
Dunga brought several new faces to the squad to play two friendlies in London and started two almost entirely different lineups in wins on Sunday over Argentina (3-0) and Tuesday over Wales (2-0). Among the players who signaled they may play key roles in the Dunga era are:
VAGNER LOVE, 22, scored his first national team goal against Wales, in his fourth appearance for the national team. Born Vagner Silva Nascimento, he received Love nicknames — “Vagner Love” or “Marksman of Love — for his womanizing reputation. While a youth team player at Palmeiras, he was suspended for bringing a girl into his room on the eve of a key game, but was reinstated at the request of his teammates. He celebrated goals at Palmeiras, which he helped win promotion back to the top flight in 2003 with 19 goals, by blowing kisses to women in the crowd. He joined CSKA Moscow on a $8 million transfer in 2004. He helped it win the 2005 UEFA Cup and become the first Russian club to win a European title. He played once for the national team, as a sub in the 2004 Copa America, before Dunga’s call-up.
ELANO, 25, scored twice in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Argentina. Elano starred at Santos with Robinho and scored 33 goals in 131 games. In 2005 he joined Ukraine club FC Shakhtar Donetsk, which has six Brazilians in its squad this season. He made his national debut in Dunga’s first game at the helm, a 1-1 tie with Norway in August.
MARCELO, 18, debuted in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Wales, playing in the left back position so long manned by Roberto Carlos. Marcelo, who plays for Fluminense, scored the opener against Wales, shone throughout the game and nearly scored a second. “He’s always smiling but he’s very determined,” Dunga said of Marcelo.