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![]() No surprises as Brazil name squad
![]() Brazil coach Parreira sprung no surprises when he named his squad. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira avoided any major surprises as the defending champions named their 23-man World Cup squad on Monday. The squad includes Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka with none of the biggest names missing -- and had been widely guessed. "This shows that our job was done with good sense, criteria, and justice. I am happy people got it right. This is not the time for doubts, uncertainties and surprises," said Parreira. One of the few eye-catching choices was Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, the scorer of over 50 goals from free kicks and penalties in his career. He won a place as third-choice keeper as Marcos, the previous selection who plays for Palmeiras, had failed to regain fitness. There was no place for central defender Roque Junior but fellow Germany-based Gilberto won a spot as reserve to Roberto Carlos at left back. "A lot of excellent players have missed out, but we can't contemplate everyone," said Parreira, who warned against underestimating the opposition at the finals in Germany where Brazil are overwhelming favorites to retain their title. "We know the World Cup is a treacherous competition. There are just seven games, it's knockout from the fourth game onwards and the technically weaker teams can spring surprises. "We have to treat each game as a final and give each opponent our full respect, otherwise anybody could surprise us." Asked if he had considered the possibility of an early exit, he replied: "Not at all, we just think about winning. "We don't allow negative thoughts anywhere near us. Nobody is prepared for a defeat, we are prepared to win." Brazil are grouped with Croatia, Australia and Japan at the finals which begin on June 9. SquadGoalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo) Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Lyon), Luisao (Benfica) Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho (Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians) Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Lyon)
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