confederations cupBoss<strong>in</strong>g theSelecao:Bless<strong>in</strong>g orcurse?Richard Ferraris and Trevor Kramerlook at Dunga’s squad for theConfederations Cup and evaluateBrazil’s chances of go<strong>in</strong>g all the way atthe <strong>to</strong>urnamentThere are 190 million ofthem. Around 10 000 ofthem play professionallyeverywhere around theglobe from Spa<strong>in</strong> <strong>to</strong> Uzbekistan.They have won the World Cup fivetimes. They call themselves ‘thefootball country’. They are Brazil.The South Americans have a curiousallure <strong>to</strong> fans, and the mythologysurround<strong>in</strong>g the famous yellowshirts is irresistible; it represents allthat is great about the world’s greatestsport. Style, skill, purity, flamboyance.The men known as Seleção haveit all, and with the weight of his<strong>to</strong>rybeh<strong>in</strong>d them, the bookmakers’reckon Brazil will w<strong>in</strong> the ConfederationsCup. It doesn’t matter thatSpa<strong>in</strong> should be the favourites onthe back of a 31 match unbeatenrun, their glorious triumph <strong>in</strong> theEuropean Championships and theirnumber one position <strong>in</strong> FIFA’s covetedrank<strong>in</strong>gs.Former Dutch <strong>in</strong>ternational FrankRijkaard has sided with the bookiesand tipped Dunga’s side <strong>to</strong> be successfulat the eight-team showpiece.“I can th<strong>in</strong>k of Brazil. They arealways hungry <strong>to</strong> w<strong>in</strong> because theyhave demand<strong>in</strong>g fans who always followthem all over the world and theywant <strong>to</strong> see them w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g.”And this is why Dunga’s job is sotreacherous. The Brazilian nation,who have the beautiful game cours<strong>in</strong>gthrough their bodies, demandsuccess as a matter of course. Theformer Brazil capta<strong>in</strong> named his 23-man squad for the ConfederationsCup recently and South Africa’spress, and <strong>in</strong>deed the world’s, werequick <strong>to</strong> comment on the absence oftwo names who have <strong>in</strong>spired theirnation <strong>to</strong> glory <strong>in</strong> recent times: Ronaldoand Ronald<strong>in</strong>ho.Both players were <strong>in</strong>tegral <strong>to</strong> theSamba Boys’ last World Cup triumph<strong>in</strong> 2002. The former notched a recordeight goals at the <strong>to</strong>urnament while‘D<strong>in</strong>ho scored a wonder goal <strong>to</strong> helpBrazil defeat a very good Englandside at the quarter-f<strong>in</strong>al stage. Atclub level, the pair have won everyth<strong>in</strong>gthere is <strong>to</strong> w<strong>in</strong> and yet, Dungahas left both players, as well as Adriano,back home.Of course there are good reasons<strong>to</strong> leave the star trio out of thesquad. Ronaldo has been at Cor<strong>in</strong>thianss<strong>in</strong>ce December as he cont<strong>in</strong>ues<strong>to</strong> recover from yet more surgery onhis troublesome knee. He himself admittedhe is <strong>in</strong> no shape <strong>to</strong> play forhis national team.“It isn’t the right moment <strong>to</strong> return,because of the problems thatI have,” he <strong>to</strong>ld Gazeta Esportiva.Adriano meanwhile cont<strong>in</strong>ues <strong>to</strong>battle demons of his own and is currentlyat São Paulo after a season ofmental <strong>to</strong>rment at Inter Milan. Ronald<strong>in</strong>ho,<strong>to</strong>o had a mediocre timewith AC Milan and the break canonly do him good. Jose Cabral, aformer Brazilian Futsal player, currentlycoach<strong>in</strong>g at Stellenbosch University,concurs with Dunga’s selectionand believes the coach was right<strong>to</strong> exclude the trio. He <strong>to</strong>ld SoccerWeek: “I th<strong>in</strong>k it was the right decisionbecause they are not play<strong>in</strong>gfor their own clubs. They are not 100percent and when Brazil comes <strong>to</strong>play a <strong>to</strong>urnament they need <strong>to</strong> playwith players that are 100 percent becausethey are com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> w<strong>in</strong>.”Between them these three havescored 121 goals at <strong>in</strong>ternational level- a truly remarkable statistic by anyone’sreckon<strong>in</strong>g. Few nations wouldmanage <strong>to</strong> cope with the absence ofthis amount of comb<strong>in</strong>ed talent, letalone compete for overall honours.This is of course exactly what Brazilwill do simply because they arewho they are.The media, however, were fixatedon those omitted from the <strong>to</strong>ur<strong>in</strong>gparty when they should havefocused on the names of those <strong>in</strong>cluded<strong>in</strong> the squad. And here<strong>in</strong> thebeauty of be<strong>in</strong>g the Brazil boss, Dungahas an almost <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>ite hotbed ofControversial omissionsfootballers who have an <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>sic andalmost preternatural disposition <strong>to</strong>wardsplay<strong>in</strong>g football, and play<strong>in</strong>git very well.Almost every week fans hear of orsee the next Samba genius, and unlikemany of the ‘next Maradonnas’<strong>to</strong> come out of Argent<strong>in</strong>a, a startl<strong>in</strong>glyhigh percentage of these starletsgo on <strong>to</strong> achieve great th<strong>in</strong>gs on thepitch. Cabral reckons the relativelyunknown pair of Cruzeiro midfielderRamires and Internacional strikerNilmar are the men who could takeup the mantle of past greats.“Nilmar, who is replac<strong>in</strong>g Adrianois a very good player,” he said. “But itis not certa<strong>in</strong> if he will play becausethey still have Luís Fabiano and Pa<strong>to</strong>.Maybe Nilmar is one for the WorldCup.“Ramires, who is a midfielder, isalso com<strong>in</strong>g through well. This willbe his first chance <strong>to</strong> play <strong>in</strong> a <strong>to</strong>urnamentlike this.”Dunga f<strong>in</strong>ds himself <strong>in</strong> a peculiarposition where his bless<strong>in</strong>g is alsohis curse. With there be<strong>in</strong>g so manypotential Kakas bear<strong>in</strong>g Brazilianpassports, he has <strong>to</strong> be particularlycareful about who he calls up forduty. His local media are an unforgiv<strong>in</strong>grabble, and failure at an <strong>in</strong>ternational<strong>to</strong>urnament could spell theend of Dunga’s time <strong>in</strong> the hotseat.The 45-year-old former midfielderhas already weathered a few s<strong>to</strong>rmsDunga’s job has as many perks as headachesand came <strong>in</strong> for some considerablestick for play<strong>in</strong>g a functional style offootball <strong>in</strong> the 2007 Copa America -even though his experimental teambattered Argent<strong>in</strong>a <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> submission<strong>to</strong> secure the title.Cabral expla<strong>in</strong>ed that Dunga’spragmatic approach is a product ofBrazil’s unique culture.“We have different regions and differentways of play<strong>in</strong>g.“Carlos Alber<strong>to</strong> Parreira is fromRio de Janeiro and Dunga is fromthe south part of Brazil close <strong>to</strong> Argent<strong>in</strong>a,Paraguay and Uruguay. LuizFelipe Scolari is from the same placeand Dunga is more related <strong>to</strong> Scolari’sstyle.”“People from the south of Brazillike Dunga and Scolari, they preparefirst their defence and then they willth<strong>in</strong>k about the attack<strong>in</strong>g. The peoplefrom Rio, like Parreira, they willth<strong>in</strong>k first <strong>in</strong> the attack<strong>in</strong>g and thenthey will prepare their defence,” headded.Parreira was <strong>in</strong> charge of Brazil atthe disastrous 2006 World Cup andhis tactical naivete <strong>in</strong> field<strong>in</strong>g his socalled‘magic quartet’ of Kaka, Ronald<strong>in</strong>ho,Adriano and Ronaldo iswhat many pundits believe led <strong>to</strong> theside’s elim<strong>in</strong>ation by France.Upon replac<strong>in</strong>g Parreira, Dungamoved immediately <strong>to</strong> dismantle thequartet and implement a more discipl<strong>in</strong>edsystem. A comb<strong>in</strong>ation of <strong>in</strong>juryand self-effacement means threefrom that famous quartet will missthe Confederations Cup and this allayeda serious selection headache,or perhaps migra<strong>in</strong>e, for the coach.Added <strong>to</strong> this, the defensive elementDunga expounds could be justwhat they need <strong>to</strong> challenge Spa<strong>in</strong>, ateam furnished with an almost Samba-esquepizzazz and technical brilliance.Even without a trio of legendaryplayers, Dunga’s team is still thebest equipped <strong>to</strong> deal with the Spanishthreat because they are Brazil -the football country.SoccerWeekJune 04 – June 10, 2009EllisParkStadiumName: Ellis ParkInauguration: 1927Capacity: 62 000 seatsRecord Attendance: 100 000 (approx.)Location: Johannesburg, GautengProv<strong>in</strong>ceAltitude: 2000m above sea levelAverage June temperature: 21ºC / 70ºFClub: Orlando PiratesThe refurbished stadium17His<strong>to</strong>ryThe revamped Ellis Park is oneof the oldest stadia <strong>in</strong> South Africaand was established <strong>in</strong> 1927 bythe Transvaal Rugby Union. Thevenue was orig<strong>in</strong>ally named afterMr JD Ellis, who made 13 acres ofspace available for the grounds.The stadium is fondly rememberedby many South Africansas the venue for the 1995 RugbyWorld Cup f<strong>in</strong>al <strong>in</strong> which South Africadefeated New Zealand. UnfortunatelyEllis Park was also thescene of the worst sport<strong>in</strong>g tragedy<strong>in</strong> South African his<strong>to</strong>ry when43 soccer fans died <strong>in</strong> a stampededur<strong>in</strong>g the Sowe<strong>to</strong> derby betweenKaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirateson April 11, 2001.UpgradesAround R500-million was spent onrefurbish<strong>in</strong>g the famous old venue.Upgrades <strong>in</strong>clude a new upper tieron the North stand, the replacemen<strong>to</strong>f seats, upgrad<strong>in</strong>g of dress<strong>in</strong>grooms, improv<strong>in</strong>g the VIP areas,as well as the media andmedical facilities.The re-laid pitch is <strong>in</strong> good conditionand the new five-level parkadeis also <strong>complete</strong>. The revampedstadium seats 62 000 fans, <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gits capacity by almost n<strong>in</strong>e percentfrom the previous 57 000.UsageToday Ellis Park is the homegrounds of the Golden Lions rugbyfranchise, football giants OrlandoPirates and is also the premierconcert-event host <strong>in</strong> South Africa.Confederations CupEllis Park will host the open<strong>in</strong>gceremony, three prelim<strong>in</strong>aryround games, a semi-f<strong>in</strong>al and thef<strong>in</strong>al - as well the clos<strong>in</strong>g ceremonyof the <strong>to</strong>urnament.World CupEllis Park will host five groupgames, one second round gameand one quarter-f<strong>in</strong>al of the 2010World Cup.www.soccerweek.mobi
18 SoccerWeekJune 04 – june 10, 2009InterviewMark Hask<strong>in</strong>s has enjoyed an impressive season at Moroka Swallows help<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>to</strong>Nedbank Cup gloryHask<strong>in</strong>s may soon be rubb<strong>in</strong>g shoulders with thelikes of David Beckham and Landon DonovanCan MarkHask<strong>in</strong>sbend it likeBeckham?Neall de Beer chats <strong>to</strong> MarkHask<strong>in</strong>s about a move <strong>to</strong> the MLSMoroka Swallows midfielderMark Hask<strong>in</strong>s is set <strong>to</strong>jo<strong>in</strong> some of the game’selite players when hemakes his way <strong>to</strong> Los Angeles fora trial with MLS giants LA Galaxy.After an impressive season forthe Beautiful Birds <strong>in</strong> which hehelped the famous old Sowe<strong>to</strong> side<strong>to</strong> the Nedbank Cup trophy, the EldoradoPark-born player was namedthe Players’ Player of the Season andMost Improved Player at the club’sannual awards ceremony.The 28-year-old’s performancesdid not go unnoticed and he willhave the opportunity <strong>to</strong> rub shoulderswith the likes of David Beckhamat the American team.Neall de Beer caught up with the<strong>in</strong>fluential midfielder and spoke <strong>to</strong>him about his possible move <strong>to</strong> Galaxy,the standard of the MLS and hisambitions of play<strong>in</strong>g for Bafana Bafana.Neall de Beer: You have secured atrial with LA Galaxy, when do youdepart and do you th<strong>in</strong>k you’ll beable <strong>to</strong> secure a move?Mark Hask<strong>in</strong>s: Right now I’m justsort<strong>in</strong>g out my visa and as soon asthat is sorted out I will probably beleav<strong>in</strong>g. A trial can be really shor<strong>to</strong>r it can be really long depend<strong>in</strong>g onhow well you do. Noth<strong>in</strong>g is cast <strong>in</strong>s<strong>to</strong>ne yet so obviously I’ll get thereand then take it from there and seewhat happens.Why the MLS?To be honest I just really wanted<strong>to</strong> make a move abroad, I turn 28 <strong>in</strong>April and I just felt that it was reallymy last chance. I’m not gett<strong>in</strong>gany younger. I have always wanted<strong>to</strong> play abroad. I actually would havepreferred a move <strong>to</strong> Europe, but thisis the first opportunity that aroseand it is a good opportunity. It’ssometh<strong>in</strong>g I look forward <strong>to</strong> and thisis a door that God has opened for meand this is the one I’ll walk through.Would you rate the MLS as one of the<strong>to</strong>p leagues <strong>in</strong> the world?❝I am prepared.I k<strong>in</strong>d of knowwhat <strong>to</strong> expectand I’m prettyconfident go<strong>in</strong>gforward❞Europe is considered the first worldof football, so I can’t say where Iwould rank it. We don’t get a lot ofcoverage of the MLS <strong>in</strong> South Africaand I can’t say exactly how competitiveit is. The th<strong>in</strong>g I do know aboutthe league is that there are some bigplayers play<strong>in</strong>g there and there area lot of South Americans play<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>the league. It should be a pretty goodleague, but I can’t really judge it andcompare it <strong>to</strong> other leagues <strong>in</strong> theworld. I don’t know enough about it<strong>to</strong> make that comparison.Do you th<strong>in</strong>k you will be able <strong>to</strong>adapt <strong>to</strong> the play<strong>in</strong>g conditions <strong>in</strong> theUnited States?I do have some experience of be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>the States, even if it was just at collegelevel. I got a scholarship just ou<strong>to</strong>f high school <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> varsity <strong>in</strong> theStates.I have a bit of experience of whatfootball is like <strong>in</strong> the States. I amprepared. I k<strong>in</strong>d of know what <strong>to</strong> expectand I’m pretty confident go<strong>in</strong>gforward.How much does it mean <strong>to</strong> you go<strong>in</strong>gon trial at a world class club thathas some of the world’s best players<strong>in</strong> the form of David Beckhamand Landon Donovan?It will be really nice <strong>to</strong> rub shoulderswith some of the best players<strong>in</strong> the world and just <strong>to</strong> ga<strong>in</strong>experience from do<strong>in</strong>g that. As afootballer you are always learn<strong>in</strong>g.If you look at a player likeDavid Beckham, you know thereis so much <strong>to</strong> learn from him, so I’lljust be look<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> learn a lot fromthis experience and get the most Ican out of it.You played under Jomo Sono, whowas a huge success <strong>in</strong> the UnitedStates, at Jomo Cosmos, are you excitedabout follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> his footsteps?Him [Sono] and Kaizer [Motaung]played there and they really madebig names for themselves and theyestablished themselves there, theyare now pioneers of the local game.Who knows, anyth<strong>in</strong>g can happen.Do you see this as a stepp<strong>in</strong>gs<strong>to</strong>ne for play<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Europeand for gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> theBafana Bafana side?I really can’t say orpreempt what couldcome from this, buthopefully it will bea step <strong>to</strong> greaterth<strong>in</strong>gs, so if it opensthe door <strong>to</strong> Europe,if it opens the door<strong>to</strong> Bafana, thatwill be awesome,but I’mjust go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong>go and makethe most ofthis opportunityandwherever itleads I’ll justbe grateful andall praise <strong>to</strong> God.How do you rate your chances ofmak<strong>in</strong>g it <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> the Bafana Bafanaside before the 2010 World Cup?To be honest, I don’t know, there area lot of quality players and so I can’tcontrol it. As players we can’t controlwho gets selected.All I can do is cont<strong>in</strong>ue work<strong>in</strong>ghard and cont<strong>in</strong>ue play<strong>in</strong>g well andjust try <strong>to</strong> be as consistent as possibleand hopefully I’ll get the call youknow. I can’t really say that I will beselected or I won’t.I just need <strong>to</strong> do what I can do andcontrol what I can control and I can’tcontrol the selection, but I can controlmy performance and that’s all Iwill be do<strong>in</strong>g.
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