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[Awards Review]
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▶ Under pressure Brazil start World Cup build-up
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[2002/02/07 ]
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 30 (AFP) - The samba beat of Brazil gets into its pre-World Cup swing on Thursday with a friendly match at home to Bolivia to kick-off their seven-match World Cup build-up.
The under-pressure, four-time champions have much to prove at the May 31 to June 30 finals in Korea and Japan and this match in Goiania, in the central state of Goias, will no doubt give coach Luiz Felipe Scolari food for thought.
The omission of 1994 World Cup and Brazilian league top scorer Romario, who will be 36 during the finals, has been an unpopular move and has even begun to wear down the spirit within the squad.
Scolari accepted a request by his own players, irritated by the continued booing of pro-Romario fans, to have training behind closed doors, though he has agreed to have their final practice session open to the public.
Scolari is likely to keep a five-man defence, including two wing backs, and a three-man midfield though he will probably experiment with players yet to make their mark.
In defence, he is set to field Juan, Cris and Anderson Polga in the backline in front of keeper Dida, with wing backs Belletti and Paulo Cesar patrolling the flanks.
Midfield is likely to be an experimental area though Gilberto Silva could be the best option in a more defensive role, combined with the more attacking-minded Juninho Paulista and Kaka.
Kleberson is another possible in midfield in place of Kaka though his reliability is offset by possessing less pace than Gilberto Silva.
The attack is likely to be unchanged from that which finished the qualifiers - Edilson and Luizao.
Bolivia are set to field a young side with many changes from the team which easily beat Brazil 3-1 during the World Cup qualifiers in November at La Paz.
Coach Carlos Trucco told the press his side were motivated, young and full of determination to do well in this fixture and among the youngsters set to start are 18-year-old striker Jose Alfredo Castillo.
News provided by SoccerWay |
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