Brazil's second-stringers prove their worth

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Brazil's second-stringers proved in the Copa America they're worthy of playing in the main team at any time, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said after their title triumph.

Brazil's experimental squad stunned Argentina's leading stars by winning the South American competition 4-2 on penalties after drawing 2-2 in regulation on Sunday.

"I wouldn't hesitate to use any of these players in the future," Parreira said as Brazil celebrated its seventh Copa title. "They proved again that they have what it takes to wear the traditional Brazilian jersey.

"Only Brazil can do this, build two national teams and do well in two competitive tournaments such as the Copa America and the World Cup qualifying," Parreira said.

Without regular stars such as Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Kaka and Dida, Brazil completed the tournament with three wins, two draws it turned into penalty shootout victories, and a 2-1 loss to Paraguay in group play.

It got a 2-2 tying goal against Argentina from Inter Milan striker Adriano three minutes into second-half injury time to force the shootout in the final at National Stadium.

Flamengo goalkeeper Julio Cesar came up big again by blocking striker Andres D'Alessandro's attempt in the shootout, and defender Gabriel Heinze then missed over the crossbar. Bayern Leverkusen's Juan netted the last penalty to seal Brazil's third title in four Copas.

"Now we know that we can trust these players if we ever need to rely on them in the future," Parreira said.

Brazil's top priority in Peru was to trial players for the next set of World Cup qualifiers, ultimately with the 2006 defense in mind. It did the same thing three years ago in Colombia, and the experimental side crashed in the quarterfinals to Honduras, but it produced extra defensive cover in the form of Cafu and Roberto Carlos, who starred in Japan and South Korea in 2002.

Parreira said he goes back to Brazil "with several important observations" about this latest squad.

Standout Adriano, the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, was one of the few players guaranteed to be called up for Brazil's qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela in September. Adriano was singled out by Parreira as a "very important" player for the Copa title.

"This is definitely the greatest moment in my career," Adriano said.

Team captain Alex of Turkey's Fenerbahce and Sevilla's defensive midfielder Renato also should transfer safely into the main squad, and might have answered a need to upgrade the central defense.

Alex shone for his "distinguished leadership role," and Renato for being a "great, intelligent team player," according to Parreira.

Cesar, who made key blocks in the penalty shootout wins against Uruguay in the semifinals and Brazil, ensured his position at least as Brazil's third 'keeper behind Milan's Dida and Palmeiras' Marcos.

Juan, another standout for Brazil, should maintain his spot as a main-squad starter beside Leverkusen veteran Roque Junior.

"I can say we finally solved our problems with defenders," Parreira had said midway through the competition.

Manchester United's Kleberson -- the only member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup champions in the roster -- admitted he did not have his best performances, but should still be called up again. It was his first competition with Brazil since a shoulder injury that kept him from playing for several months.

Parreira said rising stars Diego of Santos and Vagner Love of CSKA Moscow "are not mature enough yet," but added their value to the national team will become apparent in the future.

"We have players here that will be playing for Brazil eight, 10 years from now," he said.

Parreira tested 19 of the 22 players be brought to Peru. Only 'keeper Fabio and defenders Adriano Correa and Bordon didn't play.