Brazil Show Early Promise Under Dunga Ahead of Ecuador Friendly

It wasn't vintage, it certainly wasn't pretty, but Brazil got the job done. Dunga's second reign as Selecao boss got off on the right foot with a 1-0 win over Colombia last Friday.

The next test comes right on its coat-tails. On Tuesday night, the five-time world champions are back in action, this time taking on Ecuador in New Jersey.

Eliminated at the group stage of the recent World Cup, the Ecuadorians will be looking for a response against a Brazilian side shorn of its previously considered obligatory swagger.

It was a familiar tale for Brazil in their opening game post-Scolari. Neymar was once again the saviour, scoring the game's only goal eight minutes from time.

But it has brought little respite for Dunga, who has now had to deal with his first major controversy since taking the role.

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Right-back Maicon has been sent home from the delegation after reporting back for duty 11 hours late, as reported by Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese). No further details were forthcoming from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), and Fabinho, of Monaco, has been called up to replace the 33-year-old, who may now have seen his international career come to an end.

To complicate matters further for Dunga, his most experienced central defender, David Luiz, will miss the clash with Ecuador with a knee complaint. It means the new boss is now without the defensive pairing from the World Cup, with Thiago Silva already out of both games through injury.

The 27-year-old was substituted 10 minutes before the end of Friday's friendly win, and he was replaced by Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Marquinhos. Now, the youngster looks set to be selected ahead of Corinthians stopper Gil, who is yet to make his international debut, while Porto's Danilo will take Maicon's right-back berth, as reported by Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese).

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Unable to get off the bench against Colombia, Cruzeiro forward Ricardo Goulart is likely to get at least a few minutes on Tuesday, according to Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese).

Goulart has nine goals in this season's Campeonato Brasileiro, and, certainly in a direct battle with Atletico Mineiro's Diego Tardelli for the most advanced role in the side, is a more reliable and consistent finisher.

Tardelli started in attack with Neymar, Willian and Oscar on Friday night, and, if this is to be Dunga's favoured four, they will need game time to build an understanding.

Whilst the country's press is always quick to note when the football is anything but dazzling, the rebuilding process will be long and, in all probability, painful. There is no magic wand Dunga can wave as he now plays catch-up with the world game's pace-setters.

If the boss is awarded time and patience, this will be a four-year cycle until the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And there were encouraging, albeit early, signs against Colombia that Dunga's methods can bear fruit, and he is unlikely to make wholesale major changes for the upcoming contest.

His new formation and philosophy may take time to bed in, but it is nevertheless a relief for the coach and his backroom staff to see that the players are willing and capable of adapting to new demands, starting with the side's showman.

Neymar's workload looked lessened considerably playing as part of a front four rather than partnering a static Fred. Tardelli, despite his limitations, worked tirelessly across the front line against Colombia, something the Fluminense No. 9 was criticised heavily for failing to do during the World Cup.

On Friday not every Brazilian attempt at goal, every corner, was delegated to the temporary captain. Chelsea playmaker Oscar took the majority of corners, leaving Neymar free to sniff out chances in the middle.

Likewise Oscar, Willian and Diego Tardelli were far more involved in tracking back and aiding the midfield. Space was closed down more quickly and effectively with the team working as a unit.

Dunga made it abundantly clear when he took the job that hard work would be a major factor in Brazil's recovery and possible ascension to football's top table once again.

Friday was encouraging. Ecuador provide another stepping stone in their education.