05/06/2005
Robinho to replace Ronaldo in World Cup qualifier against Paraguay

Robinho will get a chance to show off his potential as Brazil's starting striker against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Robinho will replace two-time World Cup champion Ronaldo, who was dropped from the team after saying he needed to rest because of personal problems.

Robinho practiced with the starters on Friday in Brazil's last scrimmage, and coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he will play alongside Inter Milan forward Adriano on Sunday.

"I had been called up before, but mostly to stay on the bench," Robinho told the Agencia Placar news service. "Now that I get a chance to start, I'll go after the defenders to try to show what I can do."

Parreira is looking for all the offensive power he can get, as a win in the southern city of Porto Alegre will virtually secure Brazil a spot in next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

He knows it won't be easy, however, as the Paraguayans are unbeaten against Brazil in four years, and have won two of the last three matches.

"They are very experienced," Parreira said. "Even our attackers will have to help out on defense."

Known for his nifty moves and uncanny dribbling skills, Robinho is hailed as one of the best players to come out of Brazil in recent years. The Santos striker - reportedly bound for Real Madrid - played his first full match with the national squad only four months ago, scoring a goal to help Brazil beat Hong Kong 7-1 in a friendly.

Besides the absence of Ronaldo, Brazil also will be without veteran defender Cafu, who was suspended with an accumulation of yellow cards. FC Barcelona's Juliano Belletti will replace him.

Bayern Leverkusen defender Roque Junior was set to return to the starting lineup after a seven-month absence because of injuries. He missed Brazil's last round of qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.

Brazil, which drew 1-1 at Uruguay and beat visiting Peru 1-0, is second in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 24 points from 13 matches. Argentina, which played later Saturday, leads with 28 points, followed by Ecuador with 20.

The Paraguayans are fourth with 19 points, and a good result against Brazil is crucial to keep them in position to qualify. The top four finishers automatically earn a berth, while the fifth-place team plays the Oceania champion for the another spot.

Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz might not be able to count on injured striker Jose Cardozo, who scored two of the team's last four goals in the qualifiers. The Bayern Munich player was listed as doubtful after suffering a muscle injury on Thursday, but Ruiz said he will wait for the striker's recovery until the last minute.

"We don't have any other striker like Cardozo," Ruiz said. "His experience inside the area is of great value."

Cardozo is Paraguay's leading scorer in the qualifiers with seven goals, second overall only to Brazil's Ronaldo, who has netted nine.

Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz was likely to replace him.

In its last qualifiers, Paraguay lost to Ecuador 5-2 in Quito, and then beat Chile 2-1 at home.

The Paraguayans held Brazil to a scoreless draw in last year's qualifier in Asuncion. The team's last loss to the five-time world champions happened four years ago when it was defeated 2-0.

Paraguay beat the Brazilians 2-1 in the Copa America last year, and won a friendly 1-0 in Brazil shortly after the 2002 World Cup in the farewell match of former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

05.06.2005 20:54 +0400
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