BRAZIL MANAGER DUNGA has branded the Copa America “worthless” amid criticism of him and his players following their exit from the tournament.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
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The Selecao crashed out of the Copa America at the quarter-final stage on Saturday, losing to underdogs Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
“Brazil went 40 years without the Copa America [1949 to 1989] and we continued winning elsewhere,” he is quoted as saying in Folha de Sao Paulo.
“Then we started to win the Copa America [five titles since 1989] and we were told it was worthless, that what really matters is the World Cup.
“When we played in the Confederations Cup and won that, we were also told it was worthless.
“Now the press has decided the Copa America is worth something. Football is just like this.”
Dunga won the Copa America twice as a player (1989 and 1997) before lifting the trophy in his first stint as coach of Brazil eight years ago.
After Dunga replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari following their semi-final humiliation to Germany in last summer’s World Cup, the Selecao went on an 11-match win streak under their new boss.
However, their performances came under scrutiny throughout the tournament in Chile, while they also lost captain Neymar to a four-game suspension in the group stage after he was sent off against Colombia.
Does Dunga have a point? Have you bothered watching the tournament? Let us know in the comments section below.
Does the Brazil manager have a point when he says the Copa America is 'worthless'?
BRAZIL MANAGER DUNGA has branded the Copa America “worthless” amid criticism of him and his players following their exit from the tournament.
The Selecao crashed out of the Copa America at the quarter-final stage on Saturday, losing to underdogs Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
“Brazil went 40 years without the Copa America [1949 to 1989] and we continued winning elsewhere,” he is quoted as saying in Folha de Sao Paulo.
“Then we started to win the Copa America [five titles since 1989] and we were told it was worthless, that what really matters is the World Cup.
“Now the press has decided the Copa America is worth something. Football is just like this.”
Dunga won the Copa America twice as a player (1989 and 1997) before lifting the trophy in his first stint as coach of Brazil eight years ago.
After Dunga replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari following their semi-final humiliation to Germany in last summer’s World Cup, the Selecao went on an 11-match win streak under their new boss.
However, their performances came under scrutiny throughout the tournament in Chile, while they also lost captain Neymar to a four-game suspension in the group stage after he was sent off against Colombia.
Does Dunga have a point? Have you bothered watching the tournament? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Brazil Copa America Dunga sour grapes