JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — Brazil coach Dunga said there was room for improvement after his side’s 2-1 win over North Korea, but was pleased to take three points with the Ivory Coast and Portugal yet to come.

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil opened their campaign in Group G with a workmanlike win over the Asian minnows at Ellis Park yesterday.

“I believe the first match is always trying, there was a lot of nervousness and anxiety out there,” said the 46-year-old Dunga, who won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil as captain.

“We all want to score and not concede any goals. I am not entirely happy with the result, we weren’t passing as quickly as I would have liked. But the spirit of these players is strong and they are willing to learn.”

Dunga was not impressed that his side leaked a late goal as North Korea’s Ji Yun Nam scored a consolation effort in the 89th minute.

He also said both Germany and his side have produced the best performances of the tournament so far.

“I think all the teams which are here have to be efficient and have to defend well; without it they won’t have success,” he said.

“Germany played well in their first game, but we also played well in the second half. We did not put in good enough passes in the first half, but that changed after the break.”

Dunga said he was reluctant to give Kaka too much game time as he works his way back from injury and the attacking midfielder was brought off with 12 minutes left.

“We decided to take him off after the second goal, we wanted to use (Barcelona’s Dani) Alves for his long-range shooting.”

Jabulani, the official World Cup ball, has come in for fierce criticism at this tournament, but man of the match Maicon, who scored in the 55th minute, was full of praise.

“I think the ball is fantastic, it is nice and light and allowed me to score the goal,” beamed the Brazilian.