Daniel Alves, Hulk out of Brazil-Australia friendly

Dani Alves looks on during the warm up prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at Camp Nou on August 18, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Getty Images)

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 4 (IANS): Defender Dani Alves and forward Hulk have been ruled out of Brazil’s international friendly football match against Australia Saturday due to injury.

Scans Tuesday revealed Zenit St. Petersburg star Hulk is nursing a torn hamstring while Barcelona‘s Alves has tendinitis in his right knee, reports Xinhua.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has called up Atletico Mineiro defender Marcos Rocha to replace Alves although he is unlikely to start at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha stadium.

The Selecao will also be without striker Fred, who was ruled out Monday with a thigh injury and replaced by Alexandre Pato.

Brazil’s squad will travel to the United States immediately after Saturday’s match for a friendly against Portugal in Boston Sep 10.