Hong Kong Friendly
Parreira takes extra strikers
AP, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira added FC Porto's Luis Fabiano and Real Betis' Ricardo Oliveira to his squad that will face Hong Kong in a friendly match on Feb. 9. Parreira said he would not drop anybody from the original list of 22 players named on Jan. 19, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said Wednesday on its Web site. The extra strikers were called because Parreira fears that some European clubs will not release their top players. Lyon and AC Milan have already expressed their intention of holding players, and others are expected to follow suit, local media has reported. Parreira called Brazil's top stars for the friendly, including 2002 World Cup champions Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu. The Brazilian Soccer Confederation reportedly will receive US$1 million for the match in Hong Kong, which will interrupt the national Carnival holiday for Brazilian players. The squad is to assemble on Feb. 5, the start of the four-day pre-Lenten bash that climaxes on Feb. 8. It will be Brazil's first match since losing to Ecuador 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Brazil trails leader Argentina by two points in the 10-team South American group.
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