The fall-out from defeat by Italy at the 1982 World Cup in Spain proved to be a turning point for the Selecao, inducing a gradual evolution from poetry to pragmatism culminating in Dunga's current unappetising blend of physical prowess and tactical austerity.

Tele Santana's side illuminated the 1982 competition with a brand of football even more magical than their 1970 trophy-winning counterparts.

Yet their failure to progress beyond the second-round group stage - when they needed only a draw - shocked them to their core as the 'catenaccio' of Italy, spearheaded by master poacher Paolo Rossi, dumped them unceremoniously out and onto a plane home.

Fast-forward 28 years and the legacy of that heartbreaking 3-2 defeat is plain to see. The bewitching rhythm of the samba beat has become more of a monotonous humdrum as flair has given way to efficiency.

The figure at the centre of it all is boss Dunga. Never has a manager's coaching ethos been more emblematic of his own playing style than in the case of the man named after Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Remembered as the 1994 World Cup-winning captain who served so effectively as the on-field enforcer of Mario Zagallo's parsimonious set-up in the United States, he has developed that workmanlike nature with impressive results as a coach.

In his first managerial role he quickly imposed his own personality on the Canarinha following their disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign. The Copa America was lifted in 2007 in a triumph of Brazil's new-found practicality over the free-flowing flair of Alfio Basile'sArgentina.

World Cup qualification was an uninspiring but ultimately comfortable undertaking as they topped the South American standings to little acclaim.

And so, to South Africa.

Excitement is more subdued than for many a year owing to the fug of discontent surrounding the national side's style, or lack of it. But in truth the Selecao have never been better placed to take the honours.

Dunga's practical approach is epitomised by his choice of personnel. Gilberto Silva, effectively scrapped by Arsenal two years ago, remains as midfield lynchpin. Julio Baptista, another former Gunner, is a key man for his physical prowess rather than his often-disappointing footballing performance.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, centre-half Lucio and right-back Maicon are regarded by many as the world's finest in their position. Gone is the reliance on mis-firing superstar enigmas such as Adriano and Ronaldinho, replaced by a team ethic centred on efficiency, ruthlessness and tactical savvy.

Where once there was Socrates irreverently surveying all around him and dictating play with a nonchalant swagger, now sit Gilberto and Felipe Melo, two ultra-conservative, common-or-garden holding midfielders.

There remains a capacity for flair, with Kaka first choice as playmaker and Robinho still afforded a creative birth behind consistent goal-getter Luis Fabiano. However, put simply, if Brazil are to win this World Cup, they will win it on the break. The counter-attack is king, with swashbuckling full-backs a respectful nod to the tradition of 'o jeito brasileiro', the Brazilian way.

"Since the last World Cup when Dunga started, we have adjusted ourselves to achieve our results as well as adjusting the style of playing according to the situation we face," Gilberto admits.

"All the team are working so hard and with the way we are playing we have got the confidence of Brazilian people again."

There were the customary blips in qualification - a few disappointing home draws, defeat at altitude in Bolivia - but while rivals Argentina scraped in by the skin of their teeth, Brazil kept their composure to top the standings by a point.

"Qualification in South America is always going to be very difficult, for Brazil, history shows that," Gilberto, now with Panathinaikos, added.

"And at the time we didn't understand the pressure on Dunga. We turned things around because of our commitment to our country.

"We want to win things, for us and for the people of our country."

Dunga has so far confounded his many critics by getting results when it counts and his side will again be in the shake-up when it is time to walk the walk this summer.

Ultimately, though, even glory in South Africa would still leave many to accuse him of betraying 'o jeito brasileiro'.