VENEZUELA : Brazil "unconcerned" about facing Argentina in Copa America soccer final

Brazil's Dunga says the Argentines don't scare them ahead of Sunday's Copa America final. Brazil's national soccer coach Dunga said on Friday (July 13) he is not scared of the Argentines, and Brazil will be out on Sunday in good form for the Copa America final. FIFA president Joseph "Sepp" Blatter arrived in Venezuela on Friday, just one of the blue ribbon guests set to attend the match. The tournament has produced what is generally considered the ideal final for the second time in a row and Argentina will be attempting to avenge their traumatic penalty shootout defeat in Peru three years ago. The form book is in Argentina's favor, but Dunga said his team is "unconcerned" and taking this match in their stride just like any other. "Every game the Brazilian national team plays is important to me. They all have their special meaning and I always feel responsible for heading up the team," Dunga said. "Argentina is the favorite but Brazil is unconcerned. You have to play with the situation out of your mind. How will we do that? You have to go on to the field and take the responsibility to overcome all that." Brazil has battled their way through the Copa America despite losing to Mexico in the group stage and being taken to penalties by Uruguay in the semi-final. Meantime, Argentina won all of their five games and scored 16 goals on their way to the final, playing a brand of slick, attacking football which many feared was in danger of extinction. Juan Roman Riquelme has conducted the team majestically from midfield and Lionel Messi's chipped goal against Mexico prompted a war of superlatives and comparisons with Diego Maradona. It is a curious case of role-swapping, as for years Argentina were considered to be ruthless and uncompromising while Brazil were seen as the artists. Possible teams: Brazil: 1-Doni; 2-Maicon, 3-Alex Rodrigo, 4-Juan, 6-Gilberto; 5-Mineiro, 18-Fernando, 17-Josue, 19-Julio Baptista; 9-Vagner Love, 11-Robinho Argentina - 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 8-Javier Zanetti, 2-Roberto Ayala, 15-Gabriel Milito, 6-Gabriel Heinze; 5-Javier Mascherano, 8-Juan Sebastian Veron, 15-Esteban Cambiasso, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme; 11-Carlos Tevez, 18-Lionel Messi

ITN Source | July 14, 2007

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