Gilberto Silva and Kleberson, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, have defended the decision by Dunga, the national coach, to keep the squad isolated from fans and media as they prepare for the 2010 finals. The midfield pair pointed out to reporters the differences between Dunga's methods and those of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the 2002 title-winning coach. While the so-called "Scolari Family" were free to move around at will and talk to reporters in their hotel at the South Korea/Japan finals, Dunga's squad have been confined to their training base with a minimum of contact with media.
"They are different trainers, each has a work philosophy, Felipao [Big Phil] and Dunga, despite both being 'gauchos' [from the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul]," said Kleberson, who was overlooked for the 2006 finals. Dunga's policy of isolation is a reaction to the freedom the team had under Carlos Alberto Parreira in the countdown to the 2006 finals in Germany, where Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Fans have been barred from training sessions and Dunga sends just two players out per day to talk to reporters.
Gilberto said Dunga sought what was best for the squad. "I don't see a barrier, if the journalists who are here today were accompanying another national team out there they'd have even greater difficulties to find news," he said. "We're also experienced after what happened in 2006." The squad have been based in Curitiba since Friday and began physical training on Sunday after having medical tests during the first two days.
They leave for South Africa tomorrow with a stop in Brasilia first where they will be received by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president. Brazil, who will be based in Johannesburg, face North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G at the finals, starting on June 11. * Reuters
