03/06/2005
Brazil attempt to prise open a tough nut

World champions Brazil will have to use all their creative ability on Sunday to prise open a Paraguay team that has become one of their least favourite opponents.

Brazil striker Adriano is expected to start an international for the first time since September following the controversial decision to leave Ronaldo out of the World Cup qualifier after he asked to be excused from the Confederations Cup.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who had previously warned that he did not want to hear about requests for holidays, responded by dropping Ronaldo from Sunday's game in Porto Alegre and the visit to Argentina four days later.

Adriano, who has had an outstanding season in Italy with Inter Milan, is expected to line up in attack alongside either 21-year-old Santos forward Robinho or Betis striker Ricardo Oliveira.

Brazil are second in the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 24 points from 13 games, four points behind leaders Argentina, and know that three points in Porto Alegre's Beira-Rio stadium will leave them on the brink of a place in the Germany finals next year.

First, however, they have to defeat a Paraguay team who are unbeaten in their last three meetings with the world champions and are attempting to reach their third successive World Cup.

PARTY-POOPERS PARAGUAY

The Paraguayans spoiled Brazil's party when they beat them 1-0 in a friendly in August 2002 in a match specifically arranged to celebrate Brazil's fifth World Cup title, which they had won in Japan less than two months before.

That was followed by a tough goalLess draw in last year's World Cup qualifier in Asuncion and a 2-1 win for Paraguay when they met at the Copa America in Peru in July.

At under-23 level, the Paraguayans even denied Brazil a place at the 2004 Olympics, beating them 1-0 in a crucial qualifying match to take their place alongside Argentina as South America's representatives.

Brazil, who will be missing captain Cafu through suspension, last beat their much smaller neighbours four years ago in another World Cup qualifier, also played in Porto Alegre.

"They defend well, they're very determined and they need the result just as much as we do," said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"They defend with nine or ten players and are not ashamed to to take the quick route to goal. Even the goalkeeper starts attacks from his own area.

"But I also believe in the quality of our players. All the European league champions have Brazilian players -- in France, in Italy, in Germany, in Spain..."

Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz, who has had an injury-hit season, is available for Paraguay, although coach Anibal Ruiz may only bring him back in the home game against Bolivia on Wednesday.

Instead, Mexican-based pair Jose Cardozo and Salvador Cabanas are expected to line up in attack.

Probable teams:

Brazil - Dida; Belletti, Roque Junior, Juan, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho; Adriano, Robinho

Paraguay - Justo Villar; Denis Caniza, Julio Cesar Caceres, Carlos Gamarra, Paulo da Silva; Carlos Bonet, Angel Ortiz, Carlos Paredes, Aureliano Torres; Jose Cardozo, Salvador Cabanas

Referee - Martin Vazquez (Uruguay).

04.06.2005 08:33 +0400
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