No surprises as Dunga names Brazil squad

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) — Brazil coach Dunga on Wednesday announced a largely his squad for the South American zone World Cup 2010 qualifying matches against Peru in Lima on November 18 and Uruguay at Sao Paolo three days later.

Brazil have conceded only five goals in their last eight competitive internationals and have kept clean sheets in the last three.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Doni (Roma/ITA), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Sevilla/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan (Roma/ITA), Alex Costa (Chelsea/ENG), Naldo (Werder Bremen/GER)

Midfielders: Gilberto (Hertha Berlin/GER), Kleber (Santos), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal/ENG), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin/GER), Fernando (Bordeaux/FRA), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA), Diego (Werder Bremen/GER), Elano (Manchester City/ENG).

Strikers: Ronaldinho (Barcelona/ESP), Robinho (Real Madrid/ESP), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid/ESP), Afonso Alves (Heerenveen/NED).

Chelsea step up push for £8M Lulinha

Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Brazilian teenage sensation Lulinha.

The Independent says Chelsea are sending two scouts to watch the 17-year-old play on Wednesday evening. It is now hoped by the Premier League club that an £8m deal to sign the precocious striker may be agreed in time for the January transfer window.

The scouts were sent to Rio Janeiro at the behest of Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's chief scout and director of youth development, who is determined to sign Lulinha having missed out on another Brazilian prodigy, Alexandre Pato, last summer despite offering more than £13m for the teenager who later joined AC Milan.

Lulinha currently plays for the Brazilian club Corinthians and the scouts watched him in the 2-1 away defeat to Flamengo. Despite the loss, which leaves the famous old club near the bottom of the league table, Lulinha caught the eye by setting up his team's goal with a solo run.

West Ham to try again for Inter Milan rebel Adriano

West Ham United are expected to try again for Inter Milan striker Adriano in January.

The Hammers had a deal agreed with Inter for the controversial Brazilian in August, only for the striker to reject a move to Upton Park, says Corriere della Sera.

With Adriano again in conflict with Inter coach Roberto Mancini, West Ham are expected to try again for a loan agreement when the market reopens in January.

Sao Paulo suffer Alex blow

Sao Paulo's challenge for the Campeonato Brasileiro title has been hit by a serious injury to Alex Silva.

The defender will undergo surgery after tearing cruciate ligaments in his right knee and will be sidelined for around six months.

Alex will also miss Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay with national coach Dunga set to name his squad on Wednesday.

Striker Dagoberto, who has also suffered knee problems in the past, offered his sympathy to his Sao Paulo team-mate.

"He is a lovely person, a happy guy who motivates everybody," said Dagoberto.

"Now it's time for him to stay calm, be with his family. We'll support him because he is a very good friend."

Sao Paulo can secure the league title on Thursday (AEST) if they pick up a point against already-relegated America.

Ronaldo Injury Improving

The long-awaited return of Milan striker Ronaldo from injury seems to be drawing closer with the Gazzetta dello Sport estimating that he will take to the playing field on either November 11 or November 25.

The Brazilian superstar has yet to play this season following a knee-injury soap opera that has dragged on for months.

Ronaldo has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and a few days ago appeared in good spirits.

“We are doing well. I hope to be back as soon as possible. But we cannot risk absolutely anything,” he declared.

This Monday the 31-year-old was able to begin the second phase of his athletic preparation, with some specific drills to improve his speed. He also had some light training with the ball, although nothing intense at this stage.

Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to have Ronaldo available for the week 12 match with Atalanta on November 11. If this is not possible then a more realistic date could be after the international break on November 25 against Cagliari.

Rossoneri fans, in view of their team’s struggles in front of goal this campaign, will be praying that their star striker will not have any more setbacks. The ex-Real Madrid man has had his return from injury repeatedly delayed for more than two months now.

Brazil will stage 2014 World Cup

Brazil has been named as the host nation for the 2014 football World Cup.

The South American country was the only one bidding to host the tournament which was due to be staged on the continent under Fifa's rotation system.

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "Soccer is more than a sport for us, it's a national passion."

Brazil, who has won the tournament a record five times, has held the World Cup once before, in 1950, when they lost 2-1 in the final to Uruguay.

It is the first time the World Cup is being held in South America since Argentina hosted, and won, the 1978 tournament.

Brazil is setting aside around £550m to update their stadiums, including the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro which hosted the 1950 World Cup final.

And that money will need to be spent wisely as Fifa's inspection report has identified 18 grounds with more than 40,000 capacity that could host games. These will be whittled down to nine or 10.

However, of the 18, four would have to be re-built from scratch and all of the others need to undergo substantial renovation.

So basic are the facilities at the moment that most of the stadia are not even equipped for television commentary.

Fifa president Blatter said, however, that he had been impressed by Brazil's plans for 2014 despite the fact they were the only bidders.

"The task was not easy - for us it was a real big challenge to have the same list of requirements and the same conditions for only one candidate," he said.

"There was an extraordinary presentation by the delegation and we witnessed that this World Cup will have such a big social and cultural impact in Brazil.

"This is the country that has given to the world the best football and the best footballers, and they are five times world champions."

Fifa's inspection report added: "Brazil has a rich history of hosting sporting and other international events.

"But the standards and demands of the World Cup will far surpass those of any other event staged in the history of Brazil in terms of magnitude and complexity.

"The inspection team wants Fifa experts to review the process and progress of host city selection to ensure that adequate financing is committed and secured."

As news filtered through, celebrations broke out in various towns around the country with fireworks and festivities set to continue into the night.

Around 100 people unfurled a green and yellow banner, emblazoned with the words 'The 2014 World Cup is ours', at the foot of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue which overlooks Rio.

Meanwhile, women's world champions Germany will host the 2011 World Cup after beating off competition from Canada.

Real Madrid goal hero Robinho: I want to be the best

Robinho was delighted to again get on the scoresheet for Real Madrid in Sunday night's 3-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

With his controversies in Brazil well behind him, Robinho was again impressive for Real in the come-from-behind victory and remarked afterwards: "The people who know me, know what I am capable of. I want to continue scoring goals and improving my game day to day.

"My intention is to help the team and to go as far as possible.

"The Madrid fans are fantastic and I want to repay their support by working as hard as I can. I want to be the best player I can be."

Chelsea's Alex remains AC Milan target

Chelsea defender Alex remains on AC Milan's shopping list.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Milan chiefs are banking on their Brazilian contingent to convince the former PSV Eindhoven stopper to quit Stamford Bridge for Italy in the summer.

Doni keen on new Roma contract talks

Roma goalkeeper Doni would welcome new contract talks with management.

The Brazilian is currently tied to Roma until 2009 and said: "If Roma want to sign me again, I would be very pleased because I want to play out my career here.

"I'm happy here and my family is settled in Rome."