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Tense finish Brazil seeks to avoid unthinkable against Chile
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -- Brazil's battle to retain its proud record of having played in every World Cup finals heads into its final stage when it hosts Chile in a South American qualifier Sunday. A tense atmosphere hung over the Brazilian training camp in Curitiba ahead of the match which could make or break its campaign to reach the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. With three matches left to play, the four-time world champion is clinging to the fourth and final automatic qualifying berth, level on points with fifth-placed Uruguay but with a significantly better goal difference. The team that finishes fifth will face the top team in the Oceania preliminary competition, Australia, in a playoff. Chile, which is just one point off the bottom of the group and has no chance of making the finals, has been weakened by injuries and the absence of experienced midfielder Clarence Acuna, who was not released by his English club Newcastle United. But Juventus striker Marcelo Salas will play. "Everyone knows we no longer have any interest in the qualifiers but the match against Brazil is very important because of the quality of our rivals," Salas said. The high point of Chile's disappointing campaign was a 3-0 victory over the Brazilians in Santiago, and the memory of this is fraying Brazilian nerves. Brazil's recent form has been so poor that fans were already expressing their discontent at training sessions this week. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's aborted decision to call up injury-hit Ronaldo may have unsettled the team, and Real Madrid Roberto Carlos has questioned the wisdom of the move. When Ronaldo was ruled out of the action because of a thigh injury, Scolari called up Flamengo's inconsistent striker Edilson along with his club teammate Vampeta. Right back Cafu is doubtful with a knee injury. Chile will be coached by Jorge Garcs, who is enjoying a successful season with Santiago Wanderers. He has promised his side will harry the Brazilians in the hope of unsettling their opponents. Second-placed Paraguay will face Argentina, which is the first team in the group to have qualified for the finals. Paraguay's inspirational goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert will hope to lead his team to a victory that would mean automatic qualification. Paraguay is on 29 points -- nine points behind Argentina -- and unbeaten at home but the stress of its unexpected success is taking its toll on coach Sergio Markarian, who this week physically attacked journalists who pursued him with questions about selection and coaching decisions. Paraguay will be without defender Pedro Sarabia and midfielders Roberto Acuna, Diego Gavilan, Francisco Esteche and Virgilio Ferreira. Winger Carlos Paredes is suspended but defender Denis Caniza will be back from injury. Argentina coach Marcelo Biela has recalled Roma striker Gabriel Batistuta for the first time since October 2000, when he scored in a 2-1 victory over Uruguay. "I never felt far away from the national team. I am very happy to be back," said Batistuta, who has struggled to get back in the team after injury problems. Argentina will be without Parma defender Roberto Sensisni and Lazio midfielder Diego Simeone, but the other main players behind its near flawless qualifying campaign will be present -- including Manchester United midfielder Juan Veron. Must win Colombia and Uruguay meet in Montevideo and both must win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Colombia's hopes have been raised by the return from injury of midfielder Freddy Grisales, who played a key part in his country's Copa America victory in July. Colombian is on 20 points, trailing four points behind the home team, which needs a victory to keep the pressure on Brazil. "We have to win. Whether we go to the finals or not depends on this game," said striker Dario Silva. Two games will be played Saturday with third-placed Ecuador facing Bolivia in La Paz. The visitor, which has 26 points, should have less difficulty than most in adjusting to the altitude. In Saturday's other fixture, Peru travels to Venezuela but neither team can qualify for the finals.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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