Wasteful Brazil get an 8.5 from Dunga

FORTALEZA (Brazil) • Brazil began their South American World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday. But Brazil coach Dunga bemoaned his team's lack of clinical finishing.

Willian scored after 40 seconds as Brazil pocketed their first points following last Thursday's shock 0-2 loss to Chile.

Three minutes before half-time, the midfielder doubled the lead. Defender Filipe Luis crossed the ball, Oscar let it run and Willian tucked it away.

Venezuela pulled one back in the 64th minute when Christian Santos turned the ball into the net following a corner.

But striker Ricardo Oliveira restored Brazil's two-goal cushion nine minutes later, ghosting in behind defender Fernando Amorebieta and stooping to head past Venezuelan goalkeeper Alain Baroja.

When asked to rate his team's performance, Dunga gave it an 8.5.

"I'm picky. If we had taken half of the opportunities we created, we would be celebrating a rout and I would give a nine," he said.

"We played against Chile and had to counter-attack to kill the game but we were not efficient.

"I wanted us to win, but not just that, we needed to play well."

Brazil's win was only their second full international victory in the Neymar era without the Barcelona star in the side.

The first also came against Venezuela, at the Copa America in June.

The forward was suspended on Tuesday but will return for their visit to Buenos Aires next month to play arch-rivals Argentina.

"For now, we will rest and celebrate. The game was tough and we need to absorb everything that happened," Dunga added.

"(After enjoying the win) I start to think about Argentina.

"Today, we had a centre-forward but, against them, that can change.

"It will depend on injuries, we will review it to decide the game."

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 15, 2015, with the headline Wasteful Brazil get an 8.5 from Dunga. Subscribe