Brazil name World Cup squad
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1982.
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The other nine, who will come will come from the four clubs still involved in the national championship which ends next week should include captain Socrates and the gifted Zico.
The list contained few surprises and includes regular internationals Valdir Peres, Oscar, Luizinho and Toninho Cerezo, plus Renato, Eder and Sao Paulo's temperamental Serginho.
Missing are Roberto, last year's leading scorer and idol of Rio De Janeiro's Vasco Da Gama, and Leao, Brazil's goalkeeper in 1974 and 1978 World Cups.
Santana preferred Sao Paulo's Valdir Pres, backed by Paulo Sergio of Botafogo and Carlos of Ponte Preta in goal, which striker Roberto had a dreadful match against Czechoslovakia last month.
Former international Mario Sergio of Sao Paulo and Reinaldo of Atletico Mineiro are also absent. The squad - Goalkeepers: Valdir Peres, Paulo Sergio, Carlos. Defenders: Edevaldo, Edinho, Oscar, Juninho, Luizinho, Pedrinho. Midfield: Toninho Cerezo, Renato. Forwards Serginho, Eder. The remaining places will go to players from Corinthians, Flamengo, Guarani and Gremio, who play their semifinal second leg championship matches on today and Thursday.
Socrates of Corinthians and Gremio striker Paulo Isidoro are near certainties while Careca of Guarani, who earned his first cap against West Germany last month is another likely prospect.
This leaves places for the Flamengo contingent of Zico, Junior and Leandro, with Adilio and Vitor as possibilities. Santana may also leave a space for Falcao, who is with Roma of Italy. Brazil, among the favourites for the finals, plan warm-up games against Portugal in Sao Luis on May 5 and Switzerland in Recife on May 18. The squad leaves for Spain via Portugal on May 31, arriving in Seville on June 4, 10 days before their opening group six match against the Soviet Union. Their other group rivals are Scotland and New Zealand.
