All friendly matches are equal but some are more equal than others, writes David Shonfield.

International Friendly

Dunga has been named successor to Luiz Felipe Scolari as Brazil coach.

Brazil will reveal the identity of their new coach on Tuesday, the Brazilian Football Confederation has announced.

Shortly after Brazil’s dour scoreless draw with Mexico last week, a gang of kids lit a firework on a wide stretch of the pavement on Rua Das Laranjeiras in Rio.

FLUMINENSE coach Muricy Ramalho is on the verge of being confirmed as Brazil boss following a meeting with federation officials yesterday.

BRAZILIAN side Santos claim they have rejected a bid from Premier League champions Chelsea for teenage sensation Neymar.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas says he is impressed by the approach of new coach Jose Mourinho ahead of their Primera Division campaign.

SO HOW was it for you? Did the earth move? See stars before your eyes? Hear a ringing in your ears?

The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed Dunga has been dismissed following the country's elimination from the World Cup.

BRAZIL’s Football Federation have confirmed Dunga has been dismissed following the country’s elimination from the World Cup.

Dunga’s reign as Brazil coach looks to be at an end following their World Cup exit yesterday at the hands of Holland.

THE SMALL margins? As Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk admitted his side could have been out of yesterday’s World Cup quarter final to Brazil after the first 15 minutes, his opposite number Dunga was out of work wondering where it all went wrong.

Holland 2 Brazil 1

Bert van Marwijk insists teams like Holland and Brazil have had no choice but to curb their attacking instincts in the search for World Cup glory.

BRAZIL coach Dunga has dismissed Dutch legend Johan Cruyff’s damning indictment of his team ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with Holland.

GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has warned Brazil that the Netherlands are ready to break their World Cup stranglehold over them.

IT’S quarter-final time, the Dutch are flying, the Oranje Army is in full voice and expectations are high.

BRAZIL legend Pele has once again come out with strong criticism for Argentina coach Diego Maradona, questioning how his side has been playing in this World Cup.

Brazil coach Dunga is waiting on the fitness of a trio of players ahead of Friday’s quarter-final clash with Holland.

BRAZIL’S relentless march to the latter stages of this World Cup continued with an effortless victory over Chile last night.

Brazil 3 Chile 0

BRAZIL coach Dunga insists that past records will count for nothing when they come up against Chile in the last 16 of the World Cup at Ellis Park tonight.

LIKE watching Brazil? It was more like watching Barnsley on a bad day as the World Cup favourites laboured to a goalless draw with Portugal that sees them both through to the knockout stage.

Portugal 0 Brazil 0

BRAZIL have already progressedto the last 16 of the World Cupbut coach Dunga is still feeling plenty of pressure ahead of today’s final Group G showdown against Portugal.

Portugal 7 North Korea 0

FOR Diego Maradona’s Argentine squad, sex is fine as long as it is not 2am and accompanied by a bottle of bubbly.

BRAZIL began their quest for a sixth world crown with victory over North Korea at Ellis Park last night but it was far from a vintage display from Dunga’s men against hard-working opposition.

Brazil 2 North Korea 1

Brazil coach Dunga is warning his players against complacency when they take on rank outsiders North Korea at Ellis Park tonight.

BRAZIL coach Dunga urged journalists to stop “hitting and attacking” him as he prepares for his first World Cup finals match in the dugout against North Korea at Ellis Park tonight.

Manchester City forward Robinho would love to move to Barcelona this summer, according to his agent.

FORMER German star Dietmar Hamann believes England’s inability to keep possession will be their downfall at the World Cup finals.

FABIO CAPELLO has admitted he has no idea whether Gareth Barry will be fit for this summer’s World Cup.

Ronaldinho has failed to make it into Brazil’s 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Giovanni Trapattoni believes his Republic of Ireland side are beginning to grow as a team after their 2-0 defeat to Brazil at the Emirates Stadium last night.

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva believes the Republic of Ireland provided the perfect test as Brazil continued their preparations for the World Cup with a 2-0 friendly win at the Emirates Stadium.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni gave up hope of his team shocking Brazil early in the second half of their London tussle.

KEITH ANDREWS admitted he was disappointed by the Republic of Ireland’s second-half performance against Brazil last night.

Brazil 2 Republic of Ireland 0

FOR Dunga the player, read Dunga the coach.

BRAZIL intend to go at full throttle when they take on Ireland side tonight in their final friendly before the start of this summer’s World Cup.

Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson insists it will be a massive contrast to swap the uncertainty over his footballing future at club level for the honour of winning his first international cap against Brazil.