Soccer: Brazil name squad to defend Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil soccer coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he was not contemplating anything other than another World Cup victory as the defending champions named their 23-man squad for the finals today.

Parreira, who sprang no surprises, said Brazil would be wary of pitfalls but that his mind was set on an unprecented sixth world title.

"We just think about winning," he said after announcing his choices.

"We don't allow negative thoughts anywhere near us, they take a long by-pass. Nobody is prepared for a defeat, we are prepared to win."

"We have a lot of quality," he added. "If you stop Ronaldinho, there are three or four others who can win a match. If you stop Ronaldo, another one pops up."

However, Parreira promised that Brazil, who face Croatia, Australia and Japan in their first-round group, would not take any of their opponents lightly.

"We know the World Cup is a treacherous competition," he said. "There are just seven games, it's knockout from the fourth game onwards and the technically weaker teams can spring surprises.

"It (being favourites) won't interfere, it's something that comes from outside. The players are very conscious that on the field, everything is equal and it's 11 against 11.

"We have to treat each game as a final and give each opponent our full respect, otherwise anybody could surprise us."

Parreira, who was also in charge when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup, denied he had been edgy when he named the Brazil World Cup squad for the second time in his career.

"I've never felt as calm and relaxed as I am today, despite the great responsibility of picking a Brazil squad for the World Cup," he said. "It's all perfectly under control."

The squad included Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka with none of the biggest names missing and had been widely guessed beforehand, which did not worry Parreira.

"This shows that our job was done with good sense, criteria, and justice," he said. "I am happy people got it right. This is not the time for doubts, uncertainties and surprises."

One of the few eye-catching choices was Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, the scorer of over 50 goals from free kicks and penalties in his career. He won a place as third-choice keeper.

Marcos, the previous selection who plays for Palmeiras and was ever-present in the 2002 campaign, has failed to regain fitness after a series of nagging injuries.

There was no place for central defender Roque Junior but Gilberto, another German-based player, won a spot as reserve to Roberto Carlos at left back.

"A lot of excellent players have missed out, but we can't contemplate everyone," said Parreira

Twenty-one of the players are based abroad and the squad included 11 survivors from 2002. Ronaldo and Cafu were also present in 1994.

Parreira admitted there was concern that his side had not played a competitive international since their 3-0 win over Venezuela last October.

"We will have to work hard to overcome this handicap," he said. "But we have a base which was mounted over two years during the qualifiers so we're not starting from zero."

The world champions have one warm-up friendly to play against New Zealand in Geneva on June 4.

BRAZIL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Olympique Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians)

Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Frederico Chaves Guedes (Olympique Lyon)

- REUTERS