Brazil's Adriano is a player for the big occasion

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 15 (Reuters) Brazil striker Adriano's recent poor form for Inter Milan is not a concern and national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira expects him to come good on the big occasion.

As expected, Adriano was included in Brazil's World Cup squad on Monday and has been given a place alongside Ronaldo in the starting line-up for their opening match against Croatia on June 13.

Parreira has already announced his team for the game, barring injuries.

''Adriano is the sort of player who comes good at the right moment,'' Parreira told reporters. ''When he's needed by Brazil, he appears. He was there at the Copa America (in 2004) and the Confederations Cup (in 2005).'' ''Besides, when he is with the Brazilian team, he finds affection. He likes playing for Brazil and he feels very happy with the other players.'' Adriano finished top scorer when Brazil won the 2004 Copa America, even though he only played because Parreira decided to field a second-string team.

He repeated the trick at the Confederations Cup, winning a place after Ronaldo asked not to play and was top scorer with five goals.

REUTERS PG PM0010