Johannesburg: Brazil have traditionally been known for the flair and a display of class that has ever since the first World Cup in 1930 distinguished them from other teams and made them the most fascinating to watch on the field.
And as the team waits endlessly for their first game against North Korea at Ellis Park here on Tuesday evening, there is a sense of desperation that is creeping in into the players. Right from the time of team selection, where Ronaldinho was dropped, to following coach Dunga's diktat that winning is more important than playing beautiful football, the team is in a confused state and feeling a pressure that they've never felt before. The struggle within the team continues.
It's a two-fold pressure. First, they have to play to win. The second is the adoption of the European style of defence, which will make their game watertight. And both of these will surely restrict their flowing style. Dunga, it seems, has made up his mind to let go of the class in favour of a winning outcome.
The failure to impress in the previous edition is still pricking like a thorn for the five-time champions and their fans. This was never the case with Brazil earlier. Players have clashed with the media and it is evident that the Brazil of today is not the Brazil of the yesteryears. Brazil somehow is not seeming to be the Brazil it should be. Sometimes, it's a tiff between Kaka and Melo, and sometimes it's between Baptista and Alves.
And right from former players to the media, everyone has been gunning for Dunga. If they lose, all hell will break lose. Dunga has to multi-task and think not only about the games but also about the struggle within the team.
A Copa America and Confederations Cup win is not enough to satisfy the fans and the media about Dunga's plans for Brazil. The feeling is that if Dunga fails to win the World Cup for Brazil, his stint would have been worthless.
Brazil has been safely ensconced in the protective and beautiful environs of Grant Park Resort. The only digression being training at the Rand Park High School grounds. Dunga has tried, but has been unable to escape the prowling eyes of the media, especially when the team travelled to Ellis Park for a training session.
It's the same ground where just three days ago the Argentines, led by Messi and Maradona mesmerised everyone even though they could find the back of the net only once. And now all eyes will be on Kaka, Robino, Fabiano and on Lucio and the pressure is only going to mount. But getting on the field itself to play a game will ease some tensions.
Bringing joy to the team is a personal missive from Brazilian President Lula. "Don't read anything into criticisms or in the debate following the team selection. Just give your best and bring home the Cup," he said.
Although Lula's note would have brought momentary relief to Dunga, at the same time it has raised the bar of expectation.
First-timers Melo and Baptista have admitted to 'being nervous'.
Dunga retorts that it's but natural to be weighed down by the Green and Gold jersey. "In 1994, when I was taking the penalty shot against Italy in the final, I too was a bundle of nerves with the whole nation looking at me."
And Brazil should thank their stars that they take on North Korean in the opening game and not an Ivory Coast or Portugal. Had that been the case, Dunga would have been left with no options to experiment.
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