Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos recalled by new Brazil coach

Barcelona's Rivaldo and Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos were recalled by Brazil as new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named his first squad on Wednesday less than 24 hours after being appointed.

Scolari, nicknamed "Big Phil" (Felipao), began his reign by recalling a number of European players who had been axed by his predecessor Emerson Leao for their allegedly lacklustre performances.

Central defender Antonio Carlos, right-back Cafu, left-back Serginho and striker Jardel were among the other foreign-based players to get a new chance as Scolari chose his players for the crucial World Cup qualifier away to Uruguay.

Brazil travel to Montevideo for the match on July 1 knowing that defeat could leave them in serious danger of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.

Brazil are fourth in the South American World Cup group from which the top four teams qualify automatically for Japan and South Korea and the fifth has another chance in a play-off.

Uruguay, currently sixth, will go level on points with Brazil if they win.

"It's an uncomfortable situation for us," said Scolari. "The Uruguay game is fundamental."

Scolari said he needed experience for what he expected to be a hard-fought match in which gamesmanship would play a part.

"To play in some places in South America, you have to have a little intelligence, meanness and naughtiness to avoid being stung. They are much more intelligent in this sense than us," he said.

"It's not just this that wins games. It's a small detail but sometimes small details can make all the difference."

CIVIL SERVANTS

The new coach defended the foreign-based players, who former captain Zico compared to "civil servants who just turn up to clock in" earlier this year.

"They have given their contributions in the past," Scolari said. "We can't hold just them responsible for our current problems. We are not in this situation just because of a few players."

Striker Romario, 35, was also named but the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Deportivo Coruna midfielder Mauro Silva, whose last appearance was in early 1998.

"Mauro Silva is a player who is tailor made for big decisions," said Scolari.

Scolari became Brazil's third coach in less than a year when he was named on Tuesday to replace Emerson Leao, who was himself in charge for less than eight months.

Leao, who managed only three wins in ten games, was sacked on Monday at Tokyo airport as he prepared to board a flight home with his team from the Confederations Cup.

Since losing the 1998 World Cup final to France, Brazil have suffered a dramatic loss of form. In the last year, they have lost matches against Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile and Australia and have been held to draws by Japan, Canada and Peru.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Marcos (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Cafu (AS Roma), Belletti (Sao Paulo), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Serginho (AC Milan), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Roque Junior (AC Milan), Cris (Cruzeiro), Antonio Carlos (AS Roma)

Midfielders: Mauro Silva (Deportivo Coruna), Emerson Ferreira (AS Roma), Fabio Rochemback (Internacional), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Alex (Palmeiras), Juninho Paulista (Vasco da Gama)

Forwards: Euller (Vasco da Gama), Ewerthon (Corinthians), Geovanni (Cruzeiro), Romario (Vasco da Gama), Jardel (Galatasaray), Elber (Bayern Munich)