Kaka gives Brazil bright future

By Tim Vickery

AC Milan take Serie A title

After four consecutive draws Brazil returned to winning ways last week with a 4-1 victory away to Hungary.

The opposition might not have been the greatest, but even so this was Brazil's best performance for ages.

And it is a significant step along the road to forming the side to defend their world title in just over two year's time.

The 2002 team was built around the attacking spearhead of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho Gaucho.

Since then Kaka has grown from promise to world-class talent, - both for Serie A Champions AC Milan and Brazil - but one of the big three would have to drop out to make way for him.

The fall guy has proved to be Rivaldo. With all his problems finding and settling down at a club, Rivaldo has not played international football this year.

With him out there was room for Kaka to come in alongside the two Ronnies.

On paper they seemed like an ideal front three - Ronaldo operating closest to goal, Kaka bursting into the area from deep creating space for Ronaldinho to work his magic on the edge of the box.

There were some superb exchanges of passing through the middle of the Hungarian defence

In practice the trio hinted at danger but ended up empty handed in goalless draws against Ireland and Paraguay, so the pressure was rising as they took the field against Hungary.

Although it was just a friendly, Brazil needed to produce something special to steady their nerve.

They did not disappoint. Kaka, with his powerful running, and Ronaldinho, with his deftness of touch, gave illustrations of why they have widely been acclaimed as the players of the season in Italy and Spain respectively.

There were some superb exchanges of passing through the middle of the Hungarian defence, with the ball moved much quicker than is often the case when Rivaldo is in the side.

Even better from a Brazil point of view was the fact that the attack was on devastating form despite the absence through injury of Ronaldo.

The team have been almost entirely dependent on the Real Madrid striker in recent times.

But last week Luis Fabiano of Sao Paulo looked instantly at home, and helped himself to two goals poached in true centre forward style.

There is no chance of Ronaldo losing his place for the time being, but coach Carlos Alberto Parreira can certainly rest more easily in the knowledge that the 'phenomenon' can be replaced if necessary.

Parreira is also staring to put his own stamp on the team.

Always a believer in possession football, Brazil's coach has recently complained that his midfield were trying to get the ball forward too early.

He wanted more variation in the play, and its benefits were easily apparent last Wednesday.

By working the ball more around the field Brazil give themselves more chance to pull the opposing defence out of shape - especially when the opposition have to cope with the runs down the flanks of Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

They are stretched into covering their entire defensive line, and there is more space for Brazil's attackers to cut their way through the middle.

On last Wednesday's evidence the front three can take advantage in magnificent style.

If they are on similar form in two year's time then the 2006 World Cup should be one to remember.