Victory over Mexico leaves Brazil all set for World Cup qualifiers

Sep 13, 2007, 18:21 GMT

Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian national coach Carlos Dunga has a clear idea of the basic team he will work with in the upcoming qualification round ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

'The basis of the team is there,' Dunga said late Wednesday.

Brazil had just defeated Mexico by 3-1 in a friendly played in the United States, putting an end to a series of defeats against the North American rival which started in 2005. Brazil lost to Mexico by 1-0 in the Confederations Cup in 2005, and by 2-0 in the Copa America in Venezuela earlier this year.

Although Dunga has said that he will only define next month the starting lineup for Brazil's first qualifier, on October 14 away against Colombia, there is no doubt that the superstars of the 'Seleçao' - Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho - have secured a place.

In recent friendly games against the United States and Mexico, Ronaldinho could finally celebrate the end of a bad phase in his relationship with Brazilian fans.

The Barcelona star not only scored a goal in Brazil's 4-2 victory over the US on Sunday in Chicago, but he also gave evidence of his talent on Wednesday as he set up the team's first two goals, scored by Kleber and Kaka.

'I am very well, I feel very happy for this moment at the national team,' Ronaldinho said late Wednesday.

After lifting the trophy at the Copa America, and with wins in the two friendlies, Dunga should not have too much trouble to define the team for the first two World Cup qualifiers.

Brazilian analysts agree that the main problem the coach faces is in the attack. The two centre-forwards that have played with the team so far (Vagner Love and Afonso) have failed to convince either the fans or the specialist press.

One possibility that Dunga himself has left open is the return to the national team of veteran Ronaldo, who is currently recovering from injury and has not yet played with his club, AC Milan, this season.