Brazil face Peru without two 'Rs'
15/11/2003
Brazil face Peru without two 'Rs'
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LIMA, Nov 14 (Reuters) -
Defending champions Brazil face Peru on Sunday without
two of their four famous "R's" in the third match of
their marathon qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup.
Real
Madrid left back Roberto Carlos and Barcelona forward Ronaldinho will be missing
through injury as Brazil seek a third straight victory in the competition and
defend an unbeaten record against Peru in World Cup qualifiers.
But
Rivaldo, who is set to keep his place in the Brazil team despite a lengthy run
in the reserves at AC Milan, and striker Ronaldo will be present for what coach
Carlos Alberto Parreira expects to be one of his team's most difficult matches.
Although Peru, who are coached by Brazilian Paulo Autuori, have not qualified
for the World Cup since 1982, Parreira believes their current side is one of the
best since they reached the quarter-finals in Mexico in 1970.
"It's
maybe the most difficult game we'll have in the qualifiers," he said.
"They
have players who like to attack and Paulo Autuori has managed to give the team a
very good balance."
Peru
began their campaign with a resounding 4-1 win over Paraguay before losing
somewhat unluckily 2-1 away to neighbours Chile.
Autuori has often spoken of giving the team a winning mentality and the players
have not been short of confidence this week.
"If we
want to go to the World Cup, we have to win at home," said Newcastle United
midfielder Nolberto Solano, who has been shunted into the reserves at the
premier league club.
"Brazil
leave spaces at the back and we have to take advantage of this."
Peru
midfielder Carlos Zegarra is suspended and is likely to be replaced by Marko
Ciurlizza, who had a brief spell in Brazilian club football with Botafogo.
Junior
is the automatic replacement for Roberto Carlos while AC Milan's Kaka is
favourite to partner Rivaldo and Ronaldo in attack.
Probable teams:
Peru -
1-Erick Delgado; 4-Jorge Soto, 3-Miguel Rebosio, 22-John Galliquio, 5-Martin
Hidalgo; 8-Juan Jayo, 19-Marko Ciurlizza, 7-Nolberto Solano, 10-Roberto Palacios;
16-Andres Mendoza, 14-Claudio Pizarro
Brazil
- 1-Dida; 2-Cafu, 3-Lucio, 4-Roque Junior, 6-Junior; 5-Gilberto Silva,
8-Emerson, 11-Ze Roberto, 8-Kaka; 10-Rivaldo, 9-Ronaldo
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia).