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| Friday, October 5, 2001 14:05 EST |
Paraguay can clinch berth with victory
[Reuters]
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil's battle to retain
its proud record of having played in every World Cup finals
heads into its final stage when it hosts Chile in a South
American qualifier on Sunday.
A tense atmosphere hung over the Brazilian training camp in
Curitiba ahead of the match which could make or break its
campaign to reach the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South
Korea.
With three matches left to play, the four-time world
champions are clinging to the fourth and final automatic
qualifying berth, level on points with fifth-placed Uruguay but
with a significantly better goal difference.
The team that finishes fifth will face the top team in the
Oceania preliminary competition, Australia, in a playoff.
Chile, who is just one point off the bottom of the group
and has no chance of making the finals, has been weakened by
injuries and the absence of experienced midfielder Clarence
Acuna, who was not released by his English club Newcastle
United.
But Juventus striker Marcelo Salas will play.
"Everyone knows we no longer have any interest in the
qualifiers but the match against Brazil is very important
because of the quality of our rivals," Salas said.
The high point of Chile's disappointing campaign was a 3-0
victory over the Brazilians in Santiago, and the memory of this
is fraying Brazilian nerves.
Brazil's recent form has been so poor that fans were already
expressing their discontent at training sessions this week.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's aborted decision to call up
injury-hit Ronaldo may have unsettled the team, and Real Madrid
Roberto Carlos has questioned the wisdom of the move.
When Ronaldo was ruled out of the action because of a thigh
injury, Scolari called up Flamengo's inconsistent striker
Edilson along with his club teammate Vampeta. Right back Cafu
is doubtful with a knee injury.
Chile will be coached by Jorge Garcs, who is enjoying a
successful season with Santiago Wanderers. He has promised his
side will harry the Brazilians in the hope of unsettling its
opponents.
Second-placed Paraguay will face Argentina, who is the
first team in the group to have qualified for the finals.
Paraguay's inspirational goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert will
hope to lead his team to a victory that would mean automatic
qualification.
Paraguay is on 29 points -- nine points behind Argentina --
and unbeaten at home but the stress of its unexpected success
is taking its toll on coach Sergio Markarian, who this week
physically attacked journalists who pursued him with questions
about selection and coaching decisions.
Paraguay will be without defender Pedro Sarabia and
midfielders Roberto Acuna, Diego Gavilan, Francisco Esteche and
Virgilio Ferreira. Winger Carlos Paredes is suspended but
defender Denis Caniza will be back from injury.
Argentina coach Marcelo Biela has recalled Roma striker
Gabriel Batistuta for the first time since October 2000, when he
scored in a 2-1 victory over Uruguay.
"I never felt far away from the national team. I am very
happy to be back," said Batistuta, who has struggled to get back
in the team after injury problems.
Argentina will be without Parma defender Roberto Sensini
and Lazio midfielder Diego Simeone, but the other main players
behind its near flawless qualifying campaign will be present
-- including Manchester United midfielder Juan Veron.
Colombia and Uruguay meet in Montevideo and both must win to
keep their qualification hopes alive.
Colombia's hopes have been raised by the return from injury
of midfielder Freddy Grisales, who played a key part in his
country's Copa America victory in July.
Colombian is on 20 points, trailing four points behind the
home team, who needs a victory to keep the pressure on Brazil.
"We have to win. Whether we go to the finals or not depends
on this game," said striker Dario Silva.
Two games will be played on Saturday with third placed
Ecuador facing Bolivia in La Paz.
The visitors, who have 26 points, should have less
difficulty than most in adjusting to the altitude.
In Saturday's other fixture, Peru travels to Venezuela but
neither team can qualify for the finals.
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