Dunga, Ardiles tip Brazil to capture trophy

MUNICH, June 7 (Reuters) - Hosts Germany and holders Brazil are the favourites to lift the World Cup, according to three former South American winners attending the opening of the 56th FIFA Congress today.

Brazil's triumphant 1994 captain Dunga and Osvaldo Ardiles, a midfield wizard in Argentina's victorious team in 1978, made Brazil clear favourites.

Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia, who struck Uruguay's winner in the 1950 final against Brazil, preferred to favour Germany.

Ghiggia, 79, told reporters: ''I have great emotions now when I still remember that day.

''I remember the people everywhere, a great atmosphere and smiling faces all around when we won the World Cup. I was so proud for my country and that is the same today I think for all the players.

''The goal...was a great moment, and there were 200,000 people there. It was fantastic.'' Ghiggia said playing at home might make all the difference for Germany.

''This is going to be a very difficult World Cup, very closely-contested, and I believe Germany should be the favourites here because they are playing at home and that makes so much difference,'' he said.

''I hope a South American team is capable of winning here and surprising everyone. The Brazilians have some great players and I think Ronaldinho is perhaps the best in the world but he has to prove that here.'' Dunga, who also led Brazil in 1998, said: ''It is always so difficult to know what will happen at a World Cup but I think Brazil can win.

''They must be the favourites because they are the holders and they have so many truly great players.'' Dunga said England would find it tough.

''For the first time, I think England have a lot of good players of high technical level together at the same time and they have a lot of creative players, too, but they have the same old problem,'' he said.

''When there is a lot of sunshine, in the second half, they can't do it. They can't keep up the pace for a whole game. If it is very hot, they just fade away and they can't show what they can do.'' Ardiles was less critical of England.

''For me, Brazil are the outstanding favourites, a great team, full of great players, they have everything,'' he said.

''England had a good chance before Wayne Rooney was injured but now it is difficult to say. They can reach the last four, the same as Argentina.'' REUTERS SK VC0052