By DPA
Puerto La Cruz (Venezuela) : Brazilian coach Carlos Dunga praised archrivals Argentina's performance in the Copa America after it beat Colombia 4-2 to qualify for the quarter finals.
"Argentina played a good game against the Colombians. They started losing against a complicated rival, but turned things around shortly afterwards. It has quality players," Dunga told reporters.
"Argentina is lifting its level with each game. Its players have a lot of technical quality," Dunga added.
The Brazilian coach would not consider the possibility that his team's initial defeat against Mexico may be beneficial, since it means that Brazil is unlikely to face Argentina before the final.
If Brazil finished the first round at the top of Group B, it was likely to clash with its regional rival in the semi-finals. A solid Mexico currently leads Group B with six points, with Brazil and Chile trailing on three points and Ecuador yet to obtain a point.
Brazil is to play Ecuador Wednesday with a place in the quarterfinals at stake, and Mexico – already qualified for the next round – will face Chile.
"In a competition you have to face all rivals, so playing in the semifinals or the final is the same for me," said Dunga.
"I do not think about Argentina. It is a difficult team and has the same tradition as Brazil, but I will focus on them when the time comes. Now I am thinking about the game with Ecuador," he said.
Dunga called Ecuador "a strong, technical, fast team" ahead of Wednesday's game.
Brazil is playing the Copa America with a reserve squad, lacking stars like Ronaldinho or Kaka, and their performance has left a lot to be desired, according to the media.
The five-time world champions lost 2-0 to Mexico and needed a hat-trick from Real Madrid striker Robinho to defeat Chile 3-0. After that win, a Brazilian Internet site described Dunga's team as "Robinho and 10 others."
"Brazil has 60 or 70 high-level players. But it is one thing to have good footballers and another to form a team in which individuals fit perfectly. I need training time," Dunga said.