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Monday, February 27, 2006

Dunga Update

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Blast from the past
Maradona helps Argentina beat Brazil in exhibition

February 19, 2006 BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- Diego Maradona scored two goals to lead Argentina 8-4 over Brazil in an indoor soccer exhibition between former national team players from both countries on Saturday.
The match, watched by more than 10,000 fans at Nilson Nelson arena in Brasilia, was the first of three scheduled between the countries. The other two will take place in the coming months, one in Argentina and another in Brazil.
Former national team players for Brazil included Dunga, Bebeto, Zetti, Aldair, Careca and Muller. The Argentine side included Alejandro Mancuso, Jose Basualdo, Sergio Goycochea and Jorge Burruchaga.
After the match, Brazil's Sports Minister Angnelo Queiroz awarded Maradona the Juscelino Kubitschek trophy.
It was Maradona's first visit to Brazil since he was detained while trying to leave the country after playing a charity match in December.
Argentina's 1986 World Cup hero was detained briefly by airport police after showing contempt to authorities following his late arrival for a flight. He was released after being interrogated and was allowed to return to Argentina. Maradona said that a police officer pointed a gun at his neck during the incident
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/02/19/brazil.maradona.ap/x

Rio delights at Trophy as Dunga turns back clock
20 January 2006by FIFAworldcup.com

It was a typical summer's day in Rio, with plenty of sun, heat and crowded beaches. But it wasn't just any old day. Friday 20 January, a holiday in the city, was marked by the public display of the FIFA World Cup™ trophy. Over 13,000 people made the journey to the old fort on Copacabana beach to take a closer look at the most famous and coveted Trophy in the world.
Anyone who expected to arrive and walk right up to the trophy, however, was in for a surprise. A magnificent structure had been prepared to receive the public and provide them with every possible comfort. In an area covering 12,000 square metres, everyone who went along to see the cup saw a whole lot more.
First, there was a large entertainment area, with games and activities for all ages, including video games, table football (known in Brazil as totó or pebolim), balloons, body painting and other attractions mainly aimed at children. The youngest could learn about, and the oldest recall, historic moments from the FIFA World Cup by walking through a 'time tunnel' adorned by panels showing headlines from old newspapers and magazines. Many were thrilled at the sight of sticker albums and other memorabilia.
Another notable attraction was a ten-minute film made especially for the Trophy Tour. Many of those who saw it were amazed by the production. "Fascinating", "Ten out of ten" and "Out of this world" were some of the comments heard after the showing. But the general view was that nothing could surpass the excitement of seeing the Trophy itself up close. "Simply beautiful," said advertising student Nathercio Carreiro.
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"It was very exciting," added radiologist Loren Oliveira. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Daniel said: "I couldn't even sleep properly because I was dreaming about seeing the Cup, and now that I've seen it, I'm dreaming about winning it as a player." Fernanda Gomes, a 22-year-old student, summed up the general mood of those who had seen the exhibition: "It was better than I expected."
Reliving the momentThe best, however, was saved for the end of the day. As it would have been impossible to accommodate everyone who wanted to see the trophy in a closed space, the event organisers put on a big party on Flamengo beach, with a music show and a special guest in Dunga, Brazil's victorious captain at USA 94.
Amid an explosion of confetti and light, Dunga, who had received special authorisation from FIFA to touch the Trophy, repeated the gesture that every Brazilian remembers when he lifted the Cup in triumph 12 years ago – albeit this time to the delirious cheers of 100,000 people packed onto the sands. Then it was over to the Brazilian band Skank to close the proceedings, their act beginning with the hit song 'It's a football match'.
Captain's emotionShortly before repeating the gesture which immortalised him in 1994, the now retired Dunga told FIFAworldcup.com what it felt like to be at the party. He also spoke of the excitement of lifting the FIFA World Cup first time round - and gave his opinion on the importance of the Trophy Tour.
FIFAworldcup.com: How did you feel before seeing the FIFA World Cup again?
Dunga: I felt a little nervous, but not too much. If you've played in a World Cup final, these things are easier to deal with.
What's going through your head now?
It's like I'm watching a movie. Those memories are unique. On that day (when Brazil beat Italy on penalties to win the Cup), we fulfilled the dream of every Brazilian.
It looked like you were screaming when you lifted the Cup in 1994.
It wasn't out of sorrow or rage. I was shouting at a selfish journalist who wanted me to strike a pose. After 24 years without a title, posing for a photo was the last thing on my mind.
And are you going to pose today?
I'm going to lift the cup up as high as possible so that everyone can see it. The Brazilian people deserve it.
What do you think of FIFA and Coca-Cola's idea to promote a Trophy Tour?
I believe that many of the world's problems can be solved through football. In football, in the World Cup, everyone is equal. There are no differences of race, religion or class. A single passion unites the whole world. That's why it's important that this tour is passing through a few economically deprived countries, especially some of the countries who won't be competing for the Cup in Germany. By doing this, FIFA is promoting development in these countries by attracting the attention of sponsors.
When a country like South Africa hosts a World Cup, it will be able to develop much more quickly as the competition attracts many investors. This is a praiseworthy initiative as it's also democratic. The great majority of people here cannot afford to go to the World Cup, but they can get to see the Cup up close as FIFA has brought it to them.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060124/1/5wm9.html

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