Full-strength Brazil to take on Ireland
18/02/2004
Full-strength Brazil to take on Ireland
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DUBLIN,
Feb 17 (Reuters) - World champions Brazil plan to field a virtually
full-strength side in their friendly international against Ireland on Wednesday.
Coach
Carlos Alberto Parreira said he would start the clash with the side that played
in a training match against the rest of the squad at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday
afternoon.
That "A"
side included Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and most of Brazil's best
known players.
"Any
time Brazil takes the field it's a serious game, even if it's a friendly,"
Parreira told reporters, denying he viewed the match as little more than a
formality.
"We
are the world champions and we have a name to defend. Also, it's part of our
preparation for the World Cup.
"With
almost all our players playing in Europe, this is really the only chance we have
to prepare for our qualifying match against Paraguay next month, so this match
against the Irish is most welcome."
Parreira added that Manchester United's Kleberson, who has been out of the squad
since last year due in part to injury, would play at least 45 minutes on
Wednesday.
"We're
very glad to have him back," the coach said.
The
only major absentee will be former world player of the year Rivaldo, who is
playing in the Libertadores Cup for his Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
The
last time Brazil played Ireland, in a friendly on the same ground in 1987, they
lost 1-0.
However, on their previous meeting, in Brazil in 1982, the Brazilians won 7-0, a
score which remains Ireland's heaviest international defeat.
The
world champions are gearing up for a qualifier on March 30 against Paraguay, who
lead the South American qualification group with three wins from four matches.
Brazil are unbeaten in the group with two wins and two draws.