Scolari leaves Ronaldinho, Kaka off Confed squad

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) –

Brazil’s national football team coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, offers a press conference at a hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 14, 2013.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sprang a surprise on Tuesday by leaving experienced duo Ronaldinho and Kaka out of his squad for next month’s Confederations Cup.

Just a month before the five-time world champions kick off the tournament on home soil against Japan, 2002 World Cup winner Scolari, called back last November for a second spell in charge of the auriverde, also left out Chelsea midfielder Ramires, preferring Bayern Munich’s Luiz Gustavo.

Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho had made a return to the squad for the friendly against England in London three months ago but the 32-year-old, now with Atletico Mineiro, was then discarded for March friendlies against Italy and Russia.

Instead, “Felipao” brought in Ronaldino’s clubmate Bernard, just 20, as Brazil’s new “dez” or number 10.

In attack, Scolari has selected two traditional number nines in Fluminense’s Fred and Leandro Damiao of Internacional, who will feed off prodigy Neymar with Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk the other attacking option.

Scolari explained: “The players I had doubts about I have left out. Those I have no doubts about are on the list.”

Regarding the prospect of Bernard making an impression he told reporters: “He is a young player with bags of talent who with this opportunity will surely grasp it with both hands and keep his chance of staying in the squad.

Brazil, who include goalkeeper Julio Cesar, just relegated from the English Premier League with Queens Park Rangers, will face Japan, Mexico and Italy in their pool games with world champions Spain heading up the other group.

Scolari had recently indicated either Ronaldinho or Kaka would get the nod but it was the former who looked the likelier to be included, particularly after a fine showing in last week’s Copa Libertadores win over Sao Paulo which followed on from some other strong recent performances.

The 2002 world champion was regarded as a potential, if ageing, ace in the pack for next summer as Brazil look to rebuild under Scolari, brought in in place of sacked Mano Menezes on the eve of the Confederations Cup draw last December.

Instead, Scolari hopes Bernard, who only made his international debut last November against Argentina, will live up to expectations, the coach having already insisted on his appointment that winning the trophy is “obligatory” as the Brazilians prepare for a World Cup in 2014 where expectations will be off the scale.

So far, fans have been less than impressed with the Selecao after an opening loss to England, then draws with the Italians, Russians and then with Chile last month, after which supporters booed the team off.

Scolari’s sole win in charge to date was a 4-0 canter against modest Bolivia and he has used more than 40 players to date in sifting what ingredients he has available.

The critics are already sharpening their knives, moreover.

“Brazil are playing well below the level of any other national team of note, such as Spain or Germany, bereft of a system capable of securing results,” says Marcos Guterman, author of the book ‘Football Explains Brazil: A Story of the Biggest Popular Expression of the Country.’

He believes that “winning the Cup in June will require a miracle.”

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers : Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Jefferson (Botafogo)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Jean (Fluminense), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), Rever (Atletico Mineiro)

Midfielders: Paulinho (Corinthians), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich/GER), Fernando (Gremio), Hernanes (Lazio/ITA), Jadson (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro)

Strikers : Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Leandro Damiao (Internacional)