Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari names part of his lineup for World Cup

Luiz Felipe Scolari names part of his line-up for the World Cup

Rio de Janeiro, April 25 (IANS) Brazilian national football team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has announced part of his lineup for the FIFA World Cup, which opens June 12 with the hosts kicking off against Croatia.

At a press conference in Sao Paulo Thursday, Scolari said he had designated a quartet to lead the team, reports Xinhua.

The quartet include captain and defender Thiago Silva, David Luiz, goalkeeper Julio Cesar and forward Fred.

“I had already selected them” to lead, said Scolari, adding that he had spoken with each of those players during different trips.

In a recent visit to London, Scolari met with Luiz and his three Chelsea compatriots, midfielders Oscar, Willian and Ramires, and Totthenham’s Paulinho, offering clues as to who else he might pick to complete the lineup.

Scolari said he wasn’t worried about star Brazilian player Neymar, who plays for Barcelona.

“Barcelona isn’t doing well,” said Scolari, making a distinction between the player and the club.

“I have zero concerns about Neymar.”

The coach added that he hoped Chelsea would be eliminated by rival Atletico Madrid before the finals of the European Champions League, saying that this way his “four players would be rested” for the World Cup.

In their first-leg match Wednesday, the two teams tied 0-0.

Scolari told reporters the remainder of the lineup, to be announced May 7, will not hold any surprises.

“There won’t be big news. It’s possible for you to guess the names,” he said.