Premier League - Brazil trio to miss start of season

Eurosport - Tue, 08 Jul 14:40:00 2008

Barclays Premier League trio Anderson, Lucas Leiva and Jo have all been named in Brazil's 18-man Olympic squad.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Premier League Manchester United Anderson - 0

All three - of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City - are named as regular Under-23 players and therefore clubs cannot refuse to release them.

Also in the squad are outgoing Barcelona forward Ronaldinho and Real Madrid's Robinho.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka will not travel to Beijing after his club refused Brazil's request.

Brazil, five-times world champions, have never won the Olympic gold in soccer and regard it as the one major title missing from their collection.

Brazil, silver medallists in 1984 and 1988, will face China, Belgium and New Zealand in their first round group.

Dunga, who is also in charge of the senior side, is under increasing pressure after recent poor results and his future in the job is seen as hinging on a good performance in China.

The Olympic tournament, taken more seriously in South America than in Europe, is restricted to under-23 teams with three overage players allowed per team.

The presence of the over-age players depends on the goodwill of their clubs, who are not obliged to release them.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional)

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Schalke 04), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Anderson (Manchester United), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Diego (Werder Bremen), Thiago Neves (Fluminense)

Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Jo (Manchester City)

Sporting Life / Reuters / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

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  1. Man U will miss Anderson and Man City will miss Jo but­ it isn't really gonna harm Liverpool in any­ way.They hardly ever give Lucas a game.

    From justinbowie1, on Tue 8 Jul 4:08PM

  2. i forseen brazil winning the olympics

    From ayoadeboluwatife, on Tue 8 Jul 3:02PM

  3. since the olympics is one of the best tourney,i think­ it will be highly interesting

    From ayoadeboluwatife, on Tue 8 Jul 3:01PM

  4. liverpool will miss lucas leiva badly from akintayo

    From ayoadeboluwatife, on Tue 8 Jul 2:55PM

  5. is going to be a real blow man utd

    From ayoadeboluwatife, on Tue 8 Jul 2:50PM

  6. I can't see this team losing.
    Pato will be top­ scorer at the Olympics you heard it here first!

    From telmanj, on Tue 8 Jul 12:00PM

  7. with all these name nigeria will take the GOLD

    From Tayo A, on Tue 8 Jul 11:20AM

  8. Brazil will win it with that team!!

    From wevegotelnino, on Tue 8 Jul 11:06AM

  9. Brazil will be embarrassed by China in the group. China­ would want to make up for their world cup qualifying­ exit.

    From sincerelove88, on Tue 8 Jul 10:52AM

  10. i dont see that squad losing, Come on Lucas!

    From Harry, on Tue 8 Jul 10:38AM

  11. Is Robinho coming to Chelsea

    From busikumoses1, on Tue 8 Jul 10:23AM

  12. Team NIGERIA is gonna surprise Brazil once again as­ they did during Atlanta 1996. All hail­ Nigeria!!!!!!!!!!

    From Nonso, on Tue 8 Jul 10:09AM

  13. Footy at the Olympics, why? We have the WC, Euros &­ Copa America to show whose best.

    From Loz, on Tue 8 Jul 8:22AM

  14. At least Anderson didn't get severely hurt when he­ went down 2 weeks ago! That being said, let's hope­ he doesn't get hurt in the Olympics!

    Peace

    From United!!, on Tue 8 Jul 8:22AM

  15. at least it's good for spurs!

    From joeemmerson97, on Tue 8 Jul 8:05AM
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