Five-time World Cup winners Brazil continued their preparations for the 2010 edition of the tournament with a light training session - overseen by coach Carlos Dunga - in Johannesburg on Monday (May 31).
Although traditionally one of the favourites to lift the trophy in the tournament the Canarinho ('Little Canary') could find its wings clipped somewhat in one of the toughest groups in the tournament - Group G - alongside the Ivory Coast, north Korea and Portugal.
But with players of the calibre of Robinho, Kaka and Inter Milan trio Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio it seems likely that Dunga's men will again look to set the standard for the rest when they begin their campaign against north Korea DPR at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium on Tuesday 15 June.
The Brazil national football team took part in a light training session in Johannesburg on Monday as part of their build up to the 2010 World Cup - which begins in just under two weeks time.
Despite winning the famous trophy on five previous occasions and traditionally being considered as one of the pre-tournament favourites the Canarinho ('Little Canary') could find its wings clipped somewhat in Group G. Carlos Dunga's side have been drawn in one of the toughest groups in the competition - alongside the likes of the Ivory Coast, north Korea and Portugal.
Perhaps to counter this Brazil have a hectic schedule of training and friendlies that will take them up to their opening match against North Korea on June 15.
Dunga's team will face Zimbabwe in Harare on June 3 and then take on Tanzania in Dar-es-Salaam four days later.
Brazil are also amongst the few teams to have played and won in a major tournament on South African soil before. They were victorious in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup just a year ago, where they beat the USA 3-2 in the final.
Brazil, as usual, have a wealth of talent in their squad - with the likes of Robinho, Kaka, Inter Milan trio Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio as well as prolific striker Luis Fabiano all expected to figure. But some well respected names failed to make the cut, either through injury or poor form, with the likes of Adriano and AC Milan's duo Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho missing out.
It remains to be seen if former World Cup winner Carlos Dunga's squad can emulate the successes of its predecessors but, on paper at least, the class of 2010 already look a threat to any nation taking part. AP
