Brazil
Group F | World ranking: 1 Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Key Players: Lucio (defender), Kaka(midfielder), Ronaldinho (forward)
Past Record: Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002; runners-up 1950, 1998; Third place 1938, 1978; Fourth place 1974 Group F Results:
June 13: Croatia (1-0 | Report)
June 18: Australia (2-0 | Report)
June 22: Japan (4-1 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 27: Ghana (3-0 | Report)
July 1: France (0-1 | Report) Group Summary:
The world champions started the tournament slowly with low-key wins over Croatia and Australia sealing their place in the last 16, yet the team's progress has been overshadowed by the debate over whether an apparently overweight Ronaldo deserves his place in a team already boasting the talents of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho. Ronaldo responded with two-goals in the 4-1 win over Japan, becoming the joint all-time World Cup goalscorer, tied on 14 with Gerd Muller, in the process. Brazil may be still to hit their stride but perhaps the knockout stages will bring the best out of them. Pre-Tournament Preview:
Holders Brazil go into the tournament as undoubted favorites to win their sixth World Cup. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is able to pick from a star-studded player pool that sees an astonishing 161 Brazilians registered with clubs in the top six European leagues and his dilemma will be who to leave out, as much as who will feature in his starting XI. Ronaldinho's smile and twinkling feet will light up the tournament while Kaka's reputation as a playmaker has been strengthened after a superb season with AC Milan. However, it is in defense -- traditionally their Achilles heel -- where Brazil have shown most improvement with rock-like Bayern Munich star Lucio crucial to their chances of victory. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Dida (AC Milan)
12. Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
22. Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) Defenders:
2. Cafu (AC Milan)
3. Lucio (Bayern Munich)
4. Juan (Bayer Leverkusen)
6. Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
13. Cicinho (Real Madrid)
14. Luisao (Benfica)
15. Cris (Olympique Lyon)
16. Gilberto (Hertha Berlin) Midfielders:
5. Emerson (Juventus)
8. Kaka (AC Milan)
11. Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich)
17. Gilberto Silva (Arsenal)
18. Mineiro (Sao Paulo)
19. Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon)
20. Ricardinho (Corinthians) Forwards:
7. Adriano (Inter Milan)
9. Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
10. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
21. Fred (Olympique Lyon)
23. Robinho (Real Madrid)
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