Dunga doesn't want Brazil to lose focus

Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2014 by Foxsports.com

The 1994 World Cup-winning captain returned for a second spell as coach after this summer's home tournament under Luiz Felipe Scolari, which ended in ignominy with a 7-1 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Germany and a 3-0 loss to Holland in the third-place play-off.

Since then they have won three matches in succession, most recently beating rivals Argentina 2-0 in Beijing on Saturday.

But Dunga warned that will count for nothing should they slip up in Singapore.

He told reporters: "The Selecao has to work beyond football quality and results.

"If we lose focus in the Japan game, all we've been doing so far will be lost and criticism will come up. They will say the national team is not the one it used to be any more."

Forward Diego Tardelli, who scored both goals in the Argentina clash, is hoping to continue his goalscoring trend.

He said: "I want to profit from every minute in the national team, both on and off the field.

"I want to play the next World Cup and it starts right now. Each match is very important to me."

Japan are also working under a new coach, Javier Aguirre having succeeded Alberto Zaccheroni after the World Cup.

And the new man presided over his first win when Jamaica were dispatched 1-0 on Friday, following defeat to Uruguay and a goalless draw with Venezuela.

Defender Yuto Nagatomo, of Inter Milan, said of Aguirre: "I think his strategy and coaching methods are good; although he is strict, he is a very approachable person.

"His training is short and very intensive and the speed of his sessions, I think, benefits us.

"It will be a difficult match against Brazil, but we will work hard to get a result. This is a new team under a new coach and it is a new start for us."

Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima added: "We are still rebuilding our team and we are on the way to becoming stronger.

"Brazil are one of the strongest teams in the world and it will be a good experience for us. We must make full use of it."