Gilberto selected for World Cup qualifiers
March 13, 2009
Attackers Kaka and Luis Fabiano have both been named in Dunga’s Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Kaka has been struggling with a foot injury which kept him out of Brazil’s friendly against Italy last month, but Dunga has deemed the AC Milan star too important to leave behind for the games against Ecuador and Peru.
Luis Fabiano, who had to withdraw from the squad to play against Italy, is back to battle with Inter Milan’s Adriano for a starting place.
“We want to maintain some continuity,” said Dunga of his selection. “We only have a short time to train, so making several changes would be counter-productive.
“We want to build something with this team and create a base.”
The squad is due to meet up in Rio de Janeiro on March 24.
Brazil, who are second in the South American Qualifying Zone, travel to Ecuador on March 29 before playing Peru in Porto Alegre on April 1.
Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma); Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Kleber (Internacional), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maicon (Inter Milan), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Luisao (Benfica); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Anderson (Manchester United), Kaka, Ronaldinho (both AC Milan), Julio Baptista (Roma), Elano (Manchester City); Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Robinho (Manchester City) Adriano (Inter Milan).