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Leao: Brazil is no longer No. 1
ULSAN, South Korea (AP) -- Brazil is no longer No. 1 in international soccer, a point coach Emerson Leao thinks the rest of the world is missing. "We must stop saying Brazil is the best football nation in the world," Leao said on the eve of a Confederations Cup third-place playoff against Australia. "Our young players must begin to earn that respect." Brazil was relegated to Saturday's playoff after losing 2-1 to world champion France in a semifinal Thursday at Suwon. Leao said his lineup lost with honor and French coach Roger Lemerre said the under-strength Brazilian team proved the South American powerhouse was still the world's best "soccer school." But Leao said his squad of rookies was not up with the best Brazilian teams. The French, who toppled Brazil atop the FIFA world rankings last month and should retain No. 1 spot when the rankings are next released, advanced to Sunday's final against tournament co-host Japan. The Japanese sank Australia 1-0 on a Hidetoshi Nakata free kick in monsoonal conditions at Yokohama's International Stadium, venue for the Confederations Cup final and for the 2002 World Cup decider. Brazil should have been facing a team like Australia in the semis but was forced into the match against France after placing second behind Japan in Group B qualifying. And with just one win, two scoreless draws and a loss so far, Leao wouldn't guarantee that Brazil could beat the Socceroos, who scored an upset 1-0 win over France in Group A preliminaries. Washington, Fabio and Lucio -- three of the stand out players in a squad that is short on international experience -- have injuries and will undergo fitness tests Saturday before the Brazil lineup is announced. Leao said with Brazil sitting at No. 4 in the South American World Cup qualifying standings, his focus now was on preparing for upcoming qualifiers. So after having to make do in the Confederations Cup without stars like Ronaldo, Romaria and Ronaldinho, he says he'd rather elevate another untested player than risk the health of a regular starter. Brazil thrashed Australia 6-0 in their last Confederations Cup head-to-head -- the final in 1997. But so much has changed for the four-time world champions. For the first time in seven years, Brazil is not world No. 1. And if its poor form in World Cup qualifying continues and it places fifth in the South American standings, Brazil could face Australia -- the likely Oceania contender -- for a place in the 2002 World Cup finals. Leao said he wasn't thinking that far ahead and that Saturday's match didn't take on any extra significance. "World Cup and Confederations Cup are totally different things," he said. "I don't want to talk about what could happen -- one has nothing to do with the other." Brazil held an open practice Friday at Ulsan's Munsu Stadium. A light run, some stretching and a kick-about was as intense as the session got. The Australians traveled back to Korea from Japan, shedding two more players from the squad. Skipper Paul Okon and vice-captain Kevin Muscat were released to attend weddings in Australia. Brett Emerton had returned Down Under earlier in the week for the same reason. Defender Craig Moore picked up two yellow cards against Japan, earning an automatic one-match ban. That means Australia's defensive line will be completely reshaped. On the up side for the Aussies, striker Clayton Zane is expected to return after sitting out the semis due to suspension. Socceroos coach Frank Farina said the trip to Ulsan was more-or-less a detour. "It's nice to be through this far in the tournament -- and obviously we'll be trying to win -- but my focus is on the World Cup qualifiers," he said. "So we'll get this one out of the way, clinch third spot, and get home." The Australians had successive wins against defending champion Mexico and France, but slumped to a 1-0 loss to South Korea before losing to Japan. Brazil opened with a 2-0 win over Olympic gold medalist Cameroon but then had two scoreless draws against Canada and Japan going into the semis. Lineups: Australia (possible): Mark Schwarzer; Tony Vidmar, Tony Popovic, Hayden Foxe, Shaun Murphy, Marco Bresciano, Josip Skoko, Steve Corica, Stan Lazaridis, David Zdrilic, Clayton Zane. Brazil (possible): Dida; Ze Maria, Lucio, Edmilson, Leomar; Leandro, Carlos Miguel, Leo; Fabio, Washington, Ramon.
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