FIFA 2010: Why is Brazil Favourite to Win the World Cup?
As it is always the case since the beginning of the tournament, Brazil is once again considered to be favourites to win the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Brazil is always on the top of their game, when it comes to bigger tournaments and has a potential to make a significant impact this year as well. Having finished top in their group in the qualifying fixtures and wining the confederation cup as well, the team looks almost on track to win it till the end.
Brazil is also the only team with Argentina that has shown the highest quality of football in its opening two fixtures, by registering comfortable wins in the group of death. It almost looks a reflection of their previous performances in this tournament, but the interesting thing is that the game plan of Brazil has changed a lot after the last World Cup. It is amazing to look how tactics have twisted 180 degrees and yet allowing the team to be best in the world.
Brazil is always considered the top team when it comes to playing with flair, enthusiasm and quality attacking. With a history of producing players like Pele, Ronaldo, Romario and Roberto Bagio, the team strength always lies in its attacking options. Brazil always had a charismatic and a wining combination of attack mostly found to be unstoppable by any defence. However, this year it’s quite different of what we have seen so far. Although the team has won the two opening matches and scored comfortable goals, yet the team is actually building on its quality defenders and extraordinary defending mid-fielders. With tight defense and beautiful combination of the two defensive midfielders Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo, the team looks invulnerable to any attack.
The most amazing performance by any player of Brazil is from the right back, Maicon. He is a hulk of a player and adds to attacking options of Brazil. He also scored one of the most impossible of goals in the opening match against North Korea. His support to the attack from the right side is the key for Brazil hopes in the World Cup. Another worth mentioning player is the Brazil captain Lucio, who holds the central position in the Brazil defence. The 31-year old led Inter Milan to the treble last season and few will disbelieve what an amazing player he is. Lucio hasn’t allowed much room to the strikers in the opening two matches and moreover, he is expected to be at the centre of Brazil defence.
Brazil plays two defensive midfielders in their first eleven and that is enough to understand where the strength of Brazil team lies. Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo are the two players most of other teams are missing in their squad. Combined together the two outplay the strikers every time they get ball and the support they offer each other squeezes the room for even the most dangerous of the attacks. The players not only provide support to the defenders but also add to the attacking options. Already we have seen the role of Melo in the Brazilian attack and his ability to score goals.
Brazil does also possess few attacking options that have potential to change the result of the matches, in form of Kaka, Robinho and Fabiano. However, Kaka has been in poorest of form recently after he joined the Spanish Giants Real Madrid. There is a little hope that he will be a hit Brazil is looking for. Along with that, Robinho has also been a victim of injury last season and is yet to impress his critics and Brazilian fans. Fabiano is another quality footballer and is the main force in the Brazil attack. But when compared with the likes of Ronaldo, Pele and Romario, the previous strikers Brazil had, the player might not be as handful as Brazilians have seen in past.
It is really amazing how Brazil has changed their game plan according to their strengths and still have maintained the hype of them being favourites. There are many teams in this year’s tournament that should learn it from BRAZIL.
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