|
Brazil prepared for a
World Cup qualifier against Paraguay with a show of respect for a tough
adversary - and reverence for its missing star, Ronaldo.
"The president isn't here, but we'll try to win anyway," Santos striker
Robinho, a possible replacement for the Real Madrid star, said on Friday.
The "president" is Ronaldo, who was removed from the team for the Cup
qualifiers against Paraguay on Sunday and Argentina next Wednesday, as
well as for the Confederations Cup in Germany from June 15-29.
Ronaldo had asked to be excused from the Confederations Cup, on grounds
he needed to rest after a grueling Spanish season and before the World
Cup next year. But he didn't expect to miss the two Cup qualifiers as
well - and neither did Brazilians.
"We're going to miss him a lot, for the scorer he is, for the fame that
he has," AC Milan midfielder Kaka told Pele's Web site.
FC Barcelona's Ronaldinho, the FIFA Player of the Year in 2004, called
Ronaldo "the eternal No. 1."
Without Ronaldo, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has to improvise a lineup
for Sunday's game in Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil. And he expects a
traditionally tough match - Brazil hasn't beaten Paraguay in four years.
"They're probably the most experienced team in the competition,"
Parreira said in an interview at training camp in Teresopolis, near Rio.
Brazil is in second place in the South American qualifying race with 24
points, four behind leader Argentina. Ecuador is third with 20, followed
by Paraguay with 19. The top four teams qualify for the World Cup in
Germany, while the fifth-placed team plays the Oceania champion for
another spot.
Parreira envisioned an offensive powerhouse with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho,
Kaka and Adriano - now impossible without Ronaldo. But he has a wealth
of talent at hand.
Robinho, 21, could get a chance at a starting berth alongside Adriano,
23. Ronaldinho is 25, and Kaka 23.
"Individual talent can and should make the difference," Parreira said. "I
hope they're awesome. Then I'll resolve the problem. I won't worry
beforehand."
Adriano said Brazil had "several excellent generations" of soccer
players that kept the country at the peak of the sport. Brazil has won a
record five World Cups - no other country has more than three.
"Brazil is the country of soccer," shrugged Robinho. "It's in our blood." |
