Ghana Coach Plots Brazil's Downfall, Targets Weak Spots
June 27, 2006
Superstar playmaker Ronaldinho, World Cup all-time goals co-leader Ronaldo, his Real Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos and AC Milan standouts Kaka and Cafu will lead Brazil against the African squad Tuesday in Dortmund.
"I believe we can stop them because they are not doing so well as before with all these stars," Dujkovic said Saturday. "They have excellent individuality but as a team they are not doing so well as before."
The Brazilians have not looked as overwhelming as in their title runs in 1994 and 2002 or even during their run to the final in 1998, but they have improved with every match in quest of a sixth overall crown and fourth final in a row.
"It's better to face them now rather than in the final. In the finals, they can't be beaten," Dujkovic said. "We don't have options. It's very difficult to stop all these stars for Brazil. We have to prepare a strategy to stop them and how to make some goals."
"If you stop Ronaldinho, they have Ronaldo. If you stop Ronaldo, they have Roberto Carlos. If you stop Roberto Carlos, they have Cafu. So it will be difficult, very tough. But our guys, they certainly have the capability to stop the Brazilian team."
Ghana was the biggest stunner among round-of-16 qualifiers, beating the second-ranked Czech Republic and fifth-rated United States to book a date against the tournament favorites.
Ghanian stars looking to nullify Brazil danger
"They are dangerous tactically so we have to put pressure on them so they don't do anything dangerous," 20-year-old Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan said.
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah played against Brazil as part of Ghana's under-17 program that produced two world champion teams. But it's not like he has not been watching Brazil's amazing lineup for years anyway.
"A player sees these guys and gets excited. We have to be ready to play 120 percent," Appiah said. "They have players who in two seconds can change the game."
The Black Stars must face Brazil with star midfielder Michael Essien on the bench because of an accumulated yellow-card suspension. "Any player who comes on in place of Michael Essien will do his best, maybe not at the level like Michael Essien but I'm sure he can do it at close to this level," Dujkovic said.
Brazil wary of biggest World Cup shock in 40 years
It's that faith in his entire lineup that is at the heart of the 60-year-old Serbian coach's conviction that Brazil can be defeated. Should Ghana pull off the big upset, it would match Brazil's earliest World Cup exit in 40 years.
"Any player for Brazil is dangerous," he said. "It will be very difficult to stop them. I believe and I'm confident that Black Stars can do it."
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was left pondering whether he should leave out leave out experienced players such as captain Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Emerson for the second-round match.
After qualifying with a game to spare, Parreira replaced veteran full backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos with Cicinho and Gilberto in the 4-1 win over Japan, while Gilberto Silva and Juninho were brought in to play in front of the defense instead of Emerson and Ze Roberto. Robinho was also given the chance to partner Ronaldo in attack. The changes gave Brazil the look of world champions for the first time in the tournament.
Younger team players helped Brazil play like champs
Brazil played across the field at pace thanks to Cicinho and Gilberto runs on the flanks; Robinho showed a verve that had been missing from Adriano and both Gilberto and Juninho capped their five-star performances with second-half goals.
"All the people who came in played well," said Parreira. "But I don't consider it to be a dilemma. We showed that we're not just 11 players, we're much more than this."
Parreira is likely to leave his final team selection until nearer to Monday's game.
The winner of the match will advance to quarter-final next Saturday in Frankfurt against either Spain or France.