Ronaldo, Rivaldo due to line up against Portugal
( 2002-04-17 10:27 ) (7 )

Ronaldo will play one half for Brazil against Portugal in their international friendly on Wednesday, manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

Scolari told a news conference on Tuesday that Ronaldo had not joined the Brazilian squad for training on Monday as he had chosen to exercise in a swimming pool to recover from two recent games for his club Inter Milan.

"We are satisfied with his participation. He is making every effort to get a place in the squad and he will be used in just one half, as planned," said Scolari, known to Portuguese speakers as "Felipao" (Big Phil).

Ronaldo scored both goals for Inter Milan on Sunday when they beat Brescia 2-1 and kept their lead at the top of Serie A in what was the Brazilian's first league start since December 23.

The striker has returned this season after two years out of action due to persistent injury problems.

Midfielder Rivaldo also missed Monday's training session to recover from pains in his right knee and left ankle, but Scolari said the Barcelona player should be fit by Wednesday.

"I don't have many doubts about the team. I am not concerned about the defence nor the attack either. I am only a little concerned about the coordination, seeing how they adapt and move around," the Brazilian trainer said.

"I have already picked 90 percent of the World Cup squad," he added, declining to comment on why he had not picked prolific Portuguese-based striker Mario Jardel.

LONGED FOR

Jardel will have to watch Wednesday's game from the stands at Lisbon's Alvalade stadium, where he has scored many of his tally of 37 goals this season while turning out for Sporting.

Many pundits thought Jardel would get the callup he had longed for when Scolari took over the Brazilian team, as "Felipao" helped launch his career while manager at Gremio.

"Don't you understand Portuguese? I'll only talk about players who are here," Scolari said.

Scolari said Portugal now had their strongest World Cup side since the 1966 tournament, when they finished in third place, and had a chance to reach the final. However, he said his favourites were France and Argentina.

He added that apart from Brazil and Portugal, the World Cup finals this summer could see good performances from Germany, Italy and Paraguay.

Although both Scolari and his Portuguese opposite number Antonio Oliveira can use every player in their respective squads, they are likely to start with the following line-ups" Portugal: Ricardo Pereira, Abel Xavier, Fernando Couto, Jorge Costa, Rui Jorge, Armando Petit, Paulo Sousa, Luis Figo, Sergio Conceicao, Joao Pinto, Pedro Pauleta.

Brazil: Marcos, Anderson Polga, Lucio, Roque Junior, Cafu, Gilberto Silva, Emerson, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Edilson, Ronaldo

Referee: Victor Esquinas Torres (Spain) REUTERS