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Striker shortage is good news for Fred
By Mark Lowdon for Fifa.com
When Brazil faced Venezuela in October, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira deliberated over which of his star forwards to leave out of the starting lineup, eventually assigning Robinho to bench-warming duties for their final FIFA World Cup qualifier. As Parreira prepares the Seleção for upcoming friendlies against the United Arab Emirates and a Kuwait Football Association XI, however, he is struggling with a selection problem of a different kind.
A spate of injuries has left Brazil conspicuously short of attacking options for the two matches. Ronaldo (ankle), Julio Baptista and Ricardo Oliveira (both knee) have all been ruled out, while Parreira has already conceded that he will limit Robinho's playing time ahead of Real Madrid's clash with arch-rivals Barcelona on 19 November.
Adriano question
There was also the question of Adriano's availability, which was cast into doubt amid reports that his club, Inter Milan, wished him to rest a recurring shoulder problem. Inter, concerned over Adriano's loss of form, were pushing for his release from national team duty and in a statement released on the club's website, the player himself said: "I'm not 100 per cent. My shoulder still hurts a little and one week of treatment would be good for my recuperation. I will speak with representatives of the CBF (Brazilian federation) and hope that they understand my situation."
With the countdown to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ gathering pace, and a long list of players seeking to cement their places in Parreira's plans, had Adriano imprudently considered himself indispensable to the Seleção? Even the great Ronaldo had fallen foul of Parreira's hardline approach, when, having sought exemption from the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, the Real Madrid superstar was dumped for Brazil’s crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Argentina.
As it was, Adriano moved swiftly to deny asking to be excluded from the trip to the Middle East and Parreira – with his striking department already depleted – backed the player whose international performances during 2005 have been impressive. "There exist a lot of things you can't believe," said the coach.
Betis ace dealt blow
If Adriano's place looks secure, one player who was pushing hard for inclusion in Brazil's finals party has been less fortunate. Real Betis forward Ricardo Oliveira had become a regular in the squad this year but had to withdraw from this week's trip after sustaining a knee injury which, it is feared, could sideline him for around four months.
Parreira and his number two, Mario Zagallo, were both sceptical about the striker's chances of recovering in time to win back his berth ahead of Germany 2006. "Four months is a very long time to be out of action. Besides this, he would have to return and get back into the rhythm of the game," Parreira said.
Big chance
The chief beneficiary right now appears to be Lyon forward Fred. The 22-year-old, who scored 40 times in 43 games for Cruzeiro this year prior to his big-money transfer to the French champions, was initially shocked to learn of his inclusion. "I didn't know that I would be called up and I was surprised," said the player, whose only appearance to date in a Brazil shirt came in Romario's farewell match against Guatemala in April.
As a consequence of Ricardo Oliveira's withdrawal, however, the young striker has gone from hoping for potential bit-part to being expectant of playing a greater role in the Seleção's preparations for next summer’s finals. Parreira certainly offered encouragement when he said: "I want to see Fred. It's another opportunity for him. He will play, for 45 minutes at the very least."
Parreira taking serious approach
The Auriverde coach has repeatedly cited the importance of the games against the UAE in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and the Kuwait XI in Kuwait City three days later. Following the two fixtures Brazil have currently got only one game scheduled prior to Germany 2006, meaning these matches offer a vital opportunity for Parreira to observe his players as he seeks to narrow down his options.
It is a testament to the embarrassment of riches in Brazil's forward ranks that, with three regulars sidelined, Parreira is still able to call on the services of a player who has managed to score with monotonous regularity during 2005. A lot could yet happen between now and when Brazil's FIFA World Cup squad is finalised next May and Ricardo Oliveira for one is hopeful of returning from injury in January, but if his replacement Fred impresses in the Middle East, the Real Betis forward could face an uphill struggle in wresting the initiative away from his rival.
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