Brazil coach Dunga was satisfied after his side beat Costa Rica 1-0 in their first game since the Copa America.
Looking to bounce back from a disappointing quarter-final exit to Paraguay in the summer’s continental competition and build to next month’s World Cup qualifiers, Brazil made an excellent start to the friendly with Hulk’s 10th-minute goal.
But despite dominating the match in New Jersey they were unable to add to that strike, and they were fortunate not to concede a second-half equaliser when Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz was wrongly flagged offside.
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Quoted by ESPN, Dunga said: “It’s normal after a long time off. You can’t have a perfect game. Lot of things we practised in training came out well and we can do them even better. I liked how the team performed.
“We created a lot of chances. We would have liked to score more goals but a lot of times in soccer, one is enough.”
Barcelona star Neymar only appeared as a late substitute but there were lively performances by Douglas Costa and debutant Lucas Lima.
Speaking after the game, Neymar told ESPN Brasil: “Being benched is not something I’m used to and I’m not willing to get used to it. I want to play and I’m always working to be amongst the starting XI.”
Kaka also made his return to the national team, appearing for the first time since October as a second-half substitute, and teed up Costa for what would have been a second goal but for Patrick Pemberton’s superb reaction save.
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“It was good,” said Dunga. “All the players that started did well. Rafinha did well. Kaka did well. Danilo. But we can get better.
“It’s normal after four days of training they don’t do everything right. Overall it was a good performance.
“We have to think of qualifying. We have to give opportunities to the other players and look for other aspects of the training. We have to prepare for the next qualifying games in the future.”
Kaka, now playing in Major League Soccer with Orlando City, was delighted to be back in the fray.
“It was great,” Kaka told TV Globo. “I feel I can contribute a lot in the short and medium term. I’ve played in two World Cup qualifiers and if Dunga wants me I have plenty to offer.”
