Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilians on Monday mourned the latest blow to their demoralized, recession-hit nation: their elimination from the Copa America football tournament, which raised questions about the future of national coach Dunga.
“Dunga out” blared a headline in popular daily O Dia after Brazil crashed out of the tournament in a 1-0 group-stage loss to Peru in the US-hosted tournament.
Brazil needed only a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals but lost after Peru’s Raul Ruidiaz appeared to bundle in a cross with his arm to score late in the second half.
After months of sharp recession and political turmoil, Brazilians were looking to at least lay to rest the trauma of their 7-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Germany at home in 2014.
But O Dia described Sunday’s defeat as “another humiliation.”
“Dunga is at risk” of losing his job, said leading newspaper O Globo.
The Brazilian coach called for patience, insisting the team was at an early stage of a transitional period. He said he was not afraid of the sack.
“I am only afraid of death,” Dunga told reporters.
