SK Punang

Brazil

In choosing his World Cup roster, Brazil Coach Dunga completed his makeover of the Seleção that began when he took over from Carlos Alberto Parreira after the 2006 tournament.

Ronaldinho's gap-toothed grin will be missing from the Brazilian team photos from South Africa. The most dazzling player of a generation was left off the roster. So too was Adriano, the enigmatic forward whose commitment to training and fitness never matched his talent.

No matter: Brazil has what one former World Cup player called "a luxury problem" - too many supremely talented players and not enough room to include them all on a team sheet.

Dunga, who won the World Cup as a player in 1994 and helped lead the team to the final in 1998, chose players who echo the way he approached the game - physical and efficient. Lucio, a big center fullback, will anchor the defense. The quick and determined Thiago Silva will be his deputy. Maicon, who can mark an opponent out of a game and support the attack, will start at right back over the more offense-minded Dani Alves. Felipe Melo will win the balls in midfield, Kaka will provide the creativity and Luis Fabiano will be the finisher.

Winning is more important to Dunga than jogo bonito - the beautiful game. This approach upset Brazilian fans, and the vociferous sports media at home, but so too did a quarterfinal exit in Germany four years ago, a 1-0 loss to France making it sting even more. Fans demand more from the five-time World Cup champions.

Brazil is still Brazil, so do not expect a defensive approach by traditional standards. The team's samba-inspired play is seasoned with quick passing, artful stepovers and keen flicks. And there are a number of players on the roster capable of the spectacular, especially Robinho and Grafite.