SINGAPORE: Brazil forward Neymar and teammates leaving the field after a training session at National stadium here Monday. Brazil will play Japan in a friendly match today (Tuesday). — FP Photo SINGAPORE, Oct 13 (AFP): Brazil coach Dunga denied on Monday insinuating drug use in the Argentina camp after he was filmed pinching his nose and pointing at the rival bench during the weekend win in Beijing.
Dunga, questioned over the incident during Brazil's trip to Singapore, said he was making reference to severe pollution in the Chinese capital which gave players blocked noses.
Saturday's "Superclasico" friendly was anything but, as a fired-up Brazil won 2-0 to restore pride against their fierce rivals following a poor World Cup campaign on home soil.
"I never mentioned that the players were using drugs. This kind of statement came from the media," Dunga told reporters in Singapore, where Brazil play Japan on Tuesday.
"Maybe it's due to the pollution in China that players had blocked noses all the time."
Media interpreted Dunga's repeated gesture as a "cocaine nose", implying drug use. Argentine legend Diego Maradona has endured well-publicised struggles with cocaine.
"If Brazil wants a competitive team we have to go for new tactics," Dunga said, defending his animated behaviour.
"Otherwise the players will be playing calmly and I think this is not what Brazilians expect for the Brazilian team."
Dunga added there may be a higher risk of injuries on a threadbare pitch at Singapore's new, 55,000-seat national stadium, complaining "most of it is sand".
"The field of course raises the possibility of having injured players because there's a lot of sand and I hope that the sand doesn't create holes in the pitch during the match," he said.
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