Soccer: Brazil goes for team bonding

Brazil's players have gone back to the old practice of sharing rooms in a bid by coach Dunga to improve team spirit.

The players were given individual rooms during the World Cup, when a lacklustre campaign ended with a shock quarter-final defeat against France.

After the tournament, the Brazilian media complained that the side lacked fighting spirit and teamwork.

"The players were isolated in their rooms and chatting on the internet," Dunga told the Brazilian Football Confederation's website.

"I think that getting on with one another is fundamental in forming a group.

"Sharing the same room, the players can exchange ideas, talk about their experiences, in short, have real conversations like friends."

Dunga replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira after the World Cup and is unbeaten in his three matches in charge. Brazil face Ecuador in Stockholm on Tuesday.

- REUTERS