By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: July 1, 2010; 1:10 pm CT

Brazil dominated Chile in the World Cup round of 16 knockout stage on Tuesday, chalking up an impressive 3-0 and controlling play much of the game. The win marked the eighth straight win for Brazil over Chile.

Brazil continues to roll and South American teams have found success in general in this Cup. Four teams from the continent – Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay – remain in the final eight teams of play with Brazil set to take on the Netherlands on Friday at 10 a.m. (EDT). Brazil remains unbeaten in Cup play (3-0-1) and the team’s more defensive-minded style has proven a winner thus far while still allowing for offensive futebol.

This new style has been met with some criticism back home, but Brazilian coach Dunga has shaken off any negativity about the team’s style preferring to focus on the positive results his team has seen on the pitch.

“The most important thing is to sleep easily at night and to take the decisions that are best for the team,” Dunga said after the win over Chile.

The Netherlands should offer more of a challenge on Friday, but the Oranje has dealt with internal disharmony in recent days according to media reports. Yahoo Sports referred to the Netherlands as one of the “World Cup’s most dysfunctional teams.”

“Being friendly with each other is not important so it doesn’t concern me,” Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk said. “Yes, there are some situations. That is the way of it. Some players don’t like each other; it is not important. It doesn’t concern me and it doesn’t concern them.”

Despite the discord, the team finds itself in the final eight and should be a concern for the yellow, blue, and green. However, with so much talent and playing so well, I would put my money on the Brazilians in this one.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was good enough. Despite being vastly more talented and controlling much of the action, Brazil managed only a 2-1 victory over North Korea today in Johannesburg.

While controlling the great majority of action in the first half, the score ended up tied 0-0 at halftime. The North Koreans were able to put together a bit of momentum at times after the first 20 minutes and gained a bit of confidence. The Brazilians showed crisp passing, but were never quite able to put together a finish on the North Korean goalkeeper.

However, in the second half the Brazilians came out and continued to push the action. The team displayed a bit of soccer brilliance in the 55^th minute as Maicon received a through ball from midfielder Elano on the right side. He blistered a shot into the far corner through the short side of the North Korean keeper. Another flash of Brazilian brilliance came in the 72nd minute when a well-timed pass from Robinho found Elano for a one-timer from inside the net. North Korea’s Ji Yun Nam scored in the 89th with a left-footer from the left inside the box. The goal made for a bit of discomfort for the remaining few minutes, but Brazil was able to stave off the North Koreans.

“The opener is always harder,” Brazilian coach Dunga told the Associated Press. “There is the anxiety, the players are more nervous than usual, trying to do too much. But we are satisfied.”

Brazil take on Ivory Coast on Sunday, June 20, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) and a showdown with Portugal on Friday, June 25, at 10 a.m. (EDT).

What are your thoughts on the game?

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: June 14, 2010; 10:405 pm CT

Grab the remote and get your vuvuzela ready, Brazil kicks off its 2010 World Cup campaign on Tuesday at Ellis Park, South Africa, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT).

North Korea seems an unlikely victim, but should prove not much of a challenge for the boys from Brazil. The North Korean team is a bit of a mystery due the communist regime’s isolation and has been in the soccer wilderness for 40 years. Brazilian soccer officials have promised not to overlook this foe.

“The 32 teams that qualified for the World Cup can play,” Brazil coach Dunga told the Associated Press. “Regardless of tradition, they have to be respected. We can’t enter the match thinking we are going to win it. We have to be focused and play the best we can.”

Despite Dunga’s reservations, most expect a convincing win by the Brazilians. Las Vegas casinos are booking the team as one of the teams to beat and win the Cup, coming in at 4-1. Only Spain has a slightly higher edge at 3.5-1.

Brazil is said to be an unveiling an improved defense this year, with “goalkeeper Julio Cesar and central defenders Lucio and Maicon among the world’s best.” Despite the shift in focus, it would not be a surprise to see a bit of that “beautiful game” back tomorrow, with the world-class Kaka and forwards Luis Fabiano and Robinho launching balls on the front line. This time last year, Brazil found success in South Africa, beating the United States in the finals of the Confederations Cup. The Brazilians will be looking for a repeat performance now on the bigger stage, and thousands of Brazilian fans have made the trip to support their beloved team.

The United States proved to be a tough draw for England on Sunday, pulling out a draw versus the talented English side. The draw paves the way for an easier path out of group play for the Yanks. Casinos have booked the U.S. at 40-1 to win the Cup in recent days, odds that had been as high as 60-1.

The U.S. and Brazil will meet on the futebol pitch again this year, it just may not be in the World Cup. U.S. soccer officials announced recently that the two teams will meet Aug. 10 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The $1.6 billion stadium will be the new home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets, and the match will be the first post-Cup friendly for the Team USA.

After tomorrow’s match against North Korea, Brazil will take on Ivory Coast on Sunday, June 20, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) and a showdown with Portugal on Friday, June 25, at 10 a.m. (EDT).

What are your thoughts? Will Brazil bring home the title for a sixth time?

Check back tomorrow for more on the match!

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated:

With the world’s top two open-wheel racing series getting ready for their opening rounds this weekend, we thought we’d bring you up to speed with Brazil’s competing drivers.

Brazil’s speed freaks can start their engines this weekend with the Izod IndyCar series opening its season in São Paulo.

The São Paulo 300 brings the speed of IndyCar to the streets of this Brazilian city on Sunday, March 14, with many of the series’ drivers returning to their home country for the competition. The racecourse take drivers directly through the city’s historic Sambadrome, which is used during São Paulo’s traditional Carnival celebrations. Some of the ICS’s biggest names hail from Brazil including perennial IndyCar stars Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan. But several other Brazilians will be joining their ranks this year as they battle for the series championship. And many racing fans will also be watching to see how Danica Patrick drives through those São Paulo streets after three weeks behind the wheel of a stock car.

Saturday’s green flag waves at 11:30 a.m. (EST) and will be broadcast on Versus. Versus and ABC combine to broadcast all 17 IndyCar Series races this season in high definition. Versus will air 12 of the 17 races, with each telecast including extensive pre- and post-race shows. A one-hour race preview/qualifications show will air the day before each race this season (at 2 p.m. EST March 13 for the São Paulo 300). Fans who do not receive the Versus channel on their cable or dish systems can watch the races at IndyCar.com for free.

Kanaan told IndyCar.com that he is ready for the season to get underway.

“After six months, everybody is anxious to come back,” Kanaan said. “It’s always a fresh start and you’re always thinking positive thoughts to start the season. It was a tough year last year. As a team used to winning eight to 10 races a year, we ended up not winning a single one.”

This weekend’s race will be the IndyCar Series debut for 24-year-old Brazilian driver Ana Beatriz , who will be steering a Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team car through her hometown.

“It’s great to be with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the Brazil IZOD IndyCar race,” Beatriz said on her official website. “I was very happy when my manager, Andre Ribeiro, came back from Indianapolis and had set everything up with DRR. Hopefully we can get the rest together for the whole season. I’m really, really excited and happy to be here. It’s also very special to be the first female Brazilian race car driver to race there and it will be a great experience.”

For those who can’t wait for the green flag, check out the Versus Virtual Lap.

BRAZILIAN DRIVER PROFILES – 2010 IndyCar Series

Helio Castroneves, 34

Hometown: São Paulo (now Coral Gables, Fla).

Team: Team Penske

Major Accomplishments: Became the first driver to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500s since 1971, and was also the youngest to accomplish this feat (27). Castroneves has 18 series wins and has finished 43 times in the Top 3. Also a champion on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

TONY KANAAN, 35

Hometown: Salvador, Brazil (now Miami, Fla.)

Team: Andretti Autosport

Major Accomplishments: 12 series wins and won the 2004 series championship and runner-up in 2005. Named CART Rookie of the Year in 1998, and also had one win in that series in Michigan.

RAPHAEL MATOS, 28

Hometown: Belo Horizante, Brazil (now Miami, Fla.)

Team: de Ferran Luzco Dragon Racing

Major Accomplishments: Opened with a nice rookie campaign in 2009 with eight Top 10 finishes with a high of sixth place at Miwaukee. He was named the Apex-Brasil Rookie of the Year.

VITOR MEIRA, 32

Hometown: Brasilia, Brazil (now Miami, Fla.)

Team: A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Major Accomplishments: Inaugural winner of the Indy Racing League’s Rising Star Award. Has raced in the series since 2002, and had his best year in 2005 in which he finished fifth in the standings including two second-place finishes. Also, scored three top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in 2007.

MARIO ROMANCINI, 22

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil (now Miami, Fla.)

Team: Conquest Racing

Major Accomplishments: Makes his rookie debut in 2010. Finished sixth in Firestone Indy Lights for Andersen Racing with wins at Milwaukee and Homestead in 2008, and scored five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. He completed a year of law school in Brazil before beginning his racing career.

ANA BEATRIZ, , 24

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil (now Indianapolis, Ind.)

Team: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

Major Accomplishments: Makes rookie debut in the series in 2010. Competed in the Firestone Indy Lights category in ’08 and ‘09. Finished third in the standings in 2008 with one win, nine top-five finishes, and 11 top-10 finishes. She was the first female driver to win in the Firestone Indy Lights when she won at Nashville in July, and earned the Rising Star Award.

~  ~ ~

Meanwhile, halfway ‘round the world, Race fans on six continents are gearing up this weekend for the opening of Formula One racing – with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix set for Sunday, March 14.

This year’s F1 series features a globetrotting 19 races including the Grande Premio Do Brasil on November 7 in São Paulo. The race is 190 miles on a 4.67-mile road course, won by Australian and Team Red Bull driver Mark Webber in 2009. The Brazilian race is run on the Interlagos race track, which lies about 10 miles outh of the center of São Paulo. Formula1.com  says the track “provides the drivers and engineers with many challenges, not least because the track runs in an anti-clockwise direction and is at high altitude, which makes it tough for the engines. The atmosphere on race day is fantastic, with the fans almost tribal in their appreciation of (Rubens) Barrichello.”

Formula One has confirmed four Brazilian drivers on the entry list for this weekend’s first race in Bahrain. For 2010, F1 has implemented several rule changes including a scoring more favorable to race winners, who will now receive 25 points as opposed to 10. This will also be the first time since 1983 that cars will be expected to have a full tank of fuel to last the entire race, increasing tank sizes from 80 liters to 250.

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa recently took some test laps around his home track, Interlagos. Massa said he was glad to be back in the cockpit and looking forward to the season.

“It’s always great driving here on my home circuit,” he said on his official website. “One week before the first grand prix, I’ve got an edge.”

Here in the US, Formula One races are broadcast on Speed Channel (with several on ABC this year) with this Sunday’s race beginning at 1:30 p.m. EST. For those who can’t wait for race day, click here for a lap around Interlagos in São Paulo.

BRAZILIAN DRIVER PROFILES – Formula One 2010

LUCAS DI GRASSI, 26

Hometown: São Paulo

Team: Virgin Racing

Major Accomplishments: Signed to drive for Virgin, which is making its debut in 2010. Finished third in GP2 Series last year with one win, four podiums, and one fastest lap. Finished second in 2008 on GP2 with one victory.

FELIPE MASSA, 29

Hometown: São Paulo

Team: Ferrari

Major Accomplishments: Has scored 11 wins in his eight seasons as well as 28 podium appearances. Missed much of last season after suffering a freak-accident, which led to a skull fracture. Had a phenomenal 2008, with six victories and six pole positions. The driver missed the F1 title by one point, despite winning the season in his hometown of São Paulo, Brazil.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO, 37

Hometown: São Paulo

Team: Williams Racing

Major Accomplishments: Finished third in the 2009 standings with two wins and three podiums. Has racked up 11 wins in his illustrious career. Finished fourth in 2001 (one win), third in 2001 (10 podium finishes), and second in 2002 (four wins). Scored a second-place finish in the standings in 2004 with two wins and 12 podiums.

BRUNO SENNA, 26

Hometown: São Paulo

Team: Campos Meta

Major Accomplishments: Nephew of the Brazilian great and three-time champion Ayrton Senna, who died during a race at Imola, Italy in 1994. Competed in the LeMans series in 2009. In ’07 and ’08, he competed in the GP2 series, earning one win and two second place finishes.

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: November 6, 2009; 11:20 am CT

Brazil kicks off its 2010 World Cup campaign on June 15 in Johnnesburg against North Korea and will also battle Portugal and Ivory Coast.

World-ranked No. 2 Brazil appears to be the favorite to top this field, but FIFA has referred to Brazil’s Group G as “extremely formidable” with Portugal ranked fifth and Ivory Coast ranked 16^th in the world. Brazil’s clash with Portugal should be one of the biggest matchups of pool play. Brazil holds a 12-4-2 record against the Portuguese.

Brazilian coach Dunga liked the idea of matching up with Portugal’s top 11: “It’s going to be nice to see the healthy rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, two of the best players on the planet who play for the same club side,” he told FIFA. “It’s a balanced group but that’s what we expected. From a logistical perspective, it’ll be interesting to play our first two games in Johannesburg.”

The United States drew an interesting first-game matchup in its group, taking on England on June 12 in Rustenburg. The event brings back a bit of Brazilian World Cup nostalgia, as the last time these two countries met up in a World Cup was in 1950 in Brazil when the Americans surprised the futebol world with 1-0 victory. England is currently ninth in the world rankings and the U.S. is 14^th. The other stable mates in Group C are Algeria (28^th) and Slovenia (33^rd), making for a somewhat challenging group for the red, white, and blue.

Brazil World Cup schedule

• June 15 – vs. North Korea in Johannesburg

• June 20 – vs. Ivory Coast in Johannesburg

• June 25 – vs. Portugal in Durban

U.S. World Cup schedule

• June 12 – vs. England in Rustenburg

• June 18 – vs. Clovenia in Johannesburg

• June 23 – vs. Algeria in Tshwane/Pretoria

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: December 3, 2009; 10:15 pm CT

Brazil may not be hosting the World Cup for another four years, but the quest for futebol glory begins Friday as FIFA holds the draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The draw will determine which group each nation will play in during the quadrennial tournament. Fans of the green, yellow, and blue (as well as the red, white, and blue for that matter) will be interested to see which three countries their team will challenge in group play. ESPN is heavily promoting the draw, and will broadcast the event tomorrow live on the Web – and even offer pick ‘em brackets as soon as the draw is complete.

An ESPN message notes: “Can’t get to a TV for the Draw? Check out ESPN.com’s live Draw coverage and see the groups form as it happens. Join the discussion with our experts and debate who will have the easiest road to the Final and which is the ‘Group of Death.’”

ESPN is even offering email and text alerts for the truly soccer-mad fan. Check out the site and fill out a bracket after the draw. We will have an update on Brazil’s draw. With the country’s futebol success, the team’s group opponents may already feel they have drawn the “Group of Death”. We will offers updates on Brazil’s draw this weekend. Let us know what you think about their group.

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: November 26, 2009; 10:20 pm CT

Major sporting event announcements and Brazil go hand-in-hand lately, and this week was no exception. The Indy Racing League announced a series of firsts Wednesday for the U.S.-based open-wheel racing series – including opening its 2010 season in Brazil.

Opening its 17-race series on international soil will be not only a first for the league, but its first stop ever in Brazil. The race, scheduled for March 13-14, is expected to be a street circuit within São Paulo, which also hosts the annual Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos for Formula 1.

Brazil seems a natural fit for the IRL, as it boasts a stable of Brazilian-born drivers that includes Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, and several others. It is presumed the IRL’s top Star, Danica Patrick, will also be in the race field.

“The arrival of the IZOD IndyCar Series confirms São Paulo’s nature of staging great worldwide events. It is a gift to the citizens of São Paulo who will be able to watch up close great racecars and drivers. It is also a great opportunitty for business for the city that becomes the capital of motor racing in Latin America,” Mayor Gilberto Kassab told the IRL’s official website, IndyCar.com.

Terry Angstadt, IRL president for commercial division for the sanctioning, said the country’s enthusiasm for racing and its history of sending talented drivers to the leage made it a natural fit.

“While our primary focus continues to be building the sport of the IZOD IndyCar Series domestically, the race in São Paulo affords us a unique opportunity to visit a country that has a huge passion for open-wheel racing. With strong support from our major partner Aprex-Brasil, a significant television package from TV Bandeirantes, a large number of drivers from the country and the opportunity for a unique course, it makes sense from both a business and competition standpoint,” he said.

Having you attended a race in Brazil? What did you think? What is your experience for the Brazilian passion for racing?

While Brazil came away a 1-0 winner, sportswriters had little positive to say about the recent futebol friendly match against England. The Guardian described the game as “dull” and more exhibition than athletic contest. The newspaper noted:

Despite Wayne Rooney obviously being fired up on his first game as captain and a Brazil team featuring the sublime Kaka, this game ended up being exactly what it had always threatened: a lucrative exhibition game being played by two sets of players with more pressing concerns back home with their clubs. Little should be read into the result — if these two sides meet again in the summer in South Africa it will be an entirely different proposition.

It was a chilling vision of what the future of globalised football might look like, shorn of passion and intensity.

By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: October 18, 2009; 12:45 pm CT

The more things change, the more they stay the same – for international soccer anyway. FIFA released its world rankings, and once again the world’s governing futebol organization has the boys from Brazil at the top of the heap.

The rankings have Brazil three points ahead of second-place Spain. The Netherlands was ranked third, followed by Italy and Germany. The Brazilian squad officially qualified for the 2010 tournament with a 0-0 tie Oct. 14 against Venezuela. The team had to hold off the Venezuelans with only 10 men for the remaining 34 minutes after Miranda was sent off for elbowing.

In other Brazilian-related soccer news, ESPN reports that 2010 Cup host South Africa has lost eight of its last nine games and Brazilian coach Joel Santana is under fire. A three-man panel has been formed in South Africa to study the performance of the national squad.

“The most important thing for the team was that we finish the qualifiers on a high note. We were able to do that, finishing the tournament in first place,” Gilberto Silva told reporters after the match.

Here in North America, the United States remained 11th in FIFA rankings and the top-ranked CONCACAF team. The U.S. has officially qualified for the 2010 Cup. The next FIFA rankings will be out Nov. 20.

In recent years, Diving the coastal waters of Brazil has become a popular attraction for adventure seekers, and it turns out that, buried deep down in the official Ministry of Tourism’s website, is a 42-page booklet – The Brazilian Diving Guide.

This PDF has it all: information on diving sites, shipwrecks, flora and fauna – virtually everything you’ll need to know to get started with your own aquamarine adventure. And while the editorial sometimes gets carried away by the excitement of it all – such as when the writers compare diving the waters at beautiful Maracajau to the Great Barrier Reef – most of it is solid, useable information. It inspired us to explore more, too! Here’s the link – wait for it, it’s a little slow.

Ready to take the plunge? Maybe you have a story to share, below.