Peter Staunton believes that while Dunga's team might not be the most exciting in South Africa, they should be given some time.
In our World Cup Comment series, individual writers at Goal.com offer their views on the hot World Cup topics of the day with local expertise and a global outlook...If Maicon's stifled tears in the aftermath of his goal are to be used as an indicator there was more relief than happiness when Brazil finally broke the deadlock against DPR Korea in their opening Group G match in Johannesburg.
The Inter right back had just lashed an unstoppable drive inside Ri's near post to give his side the lead after 55 minutes and emotion overcame him on his World Cup debut; until that point, patience had been key in a game which the five-times champions struggled for a spark.
And it is not only Dunga's team who have been shackled in the early days of the 2010 tournament. Goals have been at a premium; 14 matches, 23 goals. An average of just over 1.5 per game. As Globoesporte points out this morning, Reinaldo carried that average on his own during the 1977 Brazilian championship for Atletico Mineiro.
The first match of Brazil's World Cup campaign rarely excites. They have indeed won all their opening games in the competition since 1982, but only in 1994 did the Brazil win their premiere by a margin greater than one goal. Since then they have chugged into life rather than exploded.
Dunga and his troops have explained that last night's travails were due to a number of factors. There was a certain degree of anxiety and apprehension before kick-off - a determination to have the formalities of a first match over and done with. Robinho and Maicon admitted as much during the post match press conferences.
And there can be no denying that a counter-attacking team, as Brazil now are, will inevitably find themselves bogged down against teams who cede control to them. DPR Korea packed their own third of the field and allowed the Canarinho much of the ball possession - almost 70 per cent of it. They had to work hard for the little space they found.
To that end it was no surprise that it was Maicon who opened the scoring, overloading the right flank, scoring from a difficult angle. In doing so, the 28-year-old became the first Brazil right back since 1986 to score in a World Cup. That was Josimar and he ended the tournament with two strikes.
There should no knee-jerk reaction in response to Dunga's tactics. They worked; Brazil won the match. Flaws will be ironed out; Luis Fabiano will grow in confidence, Kaka in match fitness.
However, Group G is shaping up to be the pool with fewest goals scored. The section features four sides who placed emphasis on clean-sheets, though Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and co have the star quality and golden touch at club level. Cote d'Ivoire, Portugal, DPR Korea and even Brazil rarely leave space for opposition to exploit. The three points taken from the Asians might yet be the only three awarded in the group stage. Although let's hope not.
The Brazilians do have one piece of unpredictability in their ranks though and the fluidity of Robinho could separate the teams. Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to truly find his own role in the Portugal team, whereas the Santos wide-attacker is an integral component for the 2002 winners. His guile and trickery, not to mention his vision, helped Brazil out of a tight spot against North Korea.
Dunga was heavily criticized for using the former Real Madrid star while he was out of sorts at Manchester City, but is having his praises sung for his inclusion now. A World Cup win might prompt the same about-face in relation to his tactics.
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