Brazil call up Mario, Dodo for Argentina, Japan friendlies

Brazil head coach Dunga announced the squad for upcoming friendlies against Argentina and Japan

Roi de Janiero, Sep 18 (IANS) Brazil's chief football coach Dunga has called up defenders Mario Fernandes and Dodo for friendlies against Argentina and Japan next month.

Expectedly, Dunga's 22-man squad includes Barcelona star Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz and Chelsea quartet Oscar, Ramires, Filipe Luis and Willian. Luiz's club teammate and former Selecao captain Thiago Silva was left out as he continues his recovery from a back injury, reports Xinhua.

Brazil will play Argentina in Beijing Oct 11 before meeting Japan in Singapore three days later.

Inter Milan left-back Dodo replaces Real Madrid's Marcelo while CSKA Moscow's Fernandes is in for Roma right-back Maicon. The selection of Fernandes comes three years after the 23-year-old rejected a national call-up under former Selecao boss Mano Menezes.

"He was young, he still is, (but) he deserves a second chance," Dunga told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday. "We can't crucify him for mistakes he made in the past. He left Brazil at a young age and we have to be sensitive to that."

Earlier this month Brazil defeated Colombia and Ecuador, both 1-0, in friendlies played in the United States.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael Cabral (Napoli)

Defenders: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gil (Corinthians), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Dodo (Internacional), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), Mario Fernandes (CSKA), Danilo (FC Porto)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Oscar (Chelsea), Coutinho (Liverpool)

Forwards: Ricardo Goulart (Cruzeiro), Robinho (Santos), Neymar (Barcelona), Diego Tardelli (Atletico MG)