Brazil coach Mano Menezes admits his side are still a work in progress after Leandro Damiao’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 win over 10-man Ghana on Monday.

Damiao got the only goal at Fulham’s Craven Cottage with a clinical finish as the five-time world champions took advantage of extra space in the Ghana defence following Daniel Opare’s dismissal.

Opare was sent off by English referee Mike Dean after fouling Brazil captain Lucio and the red card was the inevitable result of Ghana’s aggressive approach, which eventually produced six bookings.

Menezes’ side were always in control, but couldn’t turn their possession into further goals.

While the Selecao coach was disappointed not to have won by a more convincing score, he believes the experience of taking on a competitive outfit like Ghana will stand his players in good stead at the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil are hosting the tournament in three years time and Menezes is gradually building a new-look squad, with the likes of Damiao, who opened his international goal account against the Ghanaians, Neymar, Ganso and Fernandinho given the chance to shine.

“We still need to work because we are getting a new generation of players coming through and they don’t know what it is like to play in international competitions,” Menezes said.

“We are going to try to build up little by little. I know we have experienced players and less experienced ones and I know there will be a lot of pressure when we host the World Cup but I don’t worry about that.”

Menezes is confident the experience of grinding out wins against teams like Ghana will be invaluable when it comes to playing in the pressured environment of the World Cup.

“Someone asked me why we played Ghana and I said you have to play different styles of games and against different opposition to see what you are going to get in the World Cup,” Menezes said.

“One goal makes such a difference. Sometimes we need to win games not playing so well because you can’t always win emphatically.”

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