Brazil regains confidence after win over Peru

Sao Paolo: Brazil regained some of its confidence after a convincing win over Peru in World Cup qualifying.

Brazil rebounded from its lackluster draw against Ecuador by defeating Peru 3-0 Wednesday, returning to second place in South American qualifying.

“We had a lot of problems coming into this match,” Brazil coach Dunga said.

“It was the exhaustion from the trip back from Ecuador, that match was played at high altitude and there was lack of time to recover. But the players were able to overcome all that with a victory which left no doubts.”

After struggling in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Sunday, Brazil improved against the last-place Peruvians and dominated the match from the start in the southern city of Porto Alegre.

Striker Luis Fabiano scored twice in the first half and midfielder Felipe Melo added another in the second.

The result put Brazil in second place in the 10-nation South American qualifying group, three points behind leader Paraguay and one ahead of third-place Chile. Argentina dropped to fourth after the 6-1 loss to Bolivia.

The top four nations will automatically qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and the fifth-place finisher will face a playoff against a CONCACAF team.

Dunga was under pressure from local fans after the disappointing performance in Ecuador, when the Brazilians were heavily outplayed. Another setback could have cost the coach his job.

“Everything went in our favor,” Dunga said. “The players were committed and the fans supported us.”

The sports daily Lance noted that Brazil played well despite ‘the opponent's fragility,’ while the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper said the "easy win" gives tranquility to Dunga and the national team.

The match against Peru marked the return of AC Milan midfielder Kaka, who missed action against Ecuador because of a left foot injury. He helped Brazil open the scoring on Wednesday after being fouled inside the area in a play that prompted the penalty kick converted by Luis Fabiano.

“I felt good and didn't feel anything,” Kaka said. “I'm back.”

Brazil will face Argentina in Buenos Aires and host Paraguay in its next two qualifiers.

"We have two tough matches ahead," Luis Fabiano said. "Now it's time to add points. We can't have setbacks anymore."

Brazilian media also gave a lot of attention to Argentina's humiliating loss to Bolivia in the high altitude of La Paz.

“Double joy: 9-1 to us,” Lance said on its front page, adding the score of Brazil's match to the Argentine defeat.