Sulking is a story of past in Brazil squad

WEGGIS, May 28: Brazil's players seem determined to prove that the days when a place on the bench resulted in a sulk and public criticism of the coach are buried in the past.

Earlier this month coach Carlos Alberto Parreira announced his starting lineup to face Croatia when the world champions begin the defence of their crown on June 13.

Unlike on numerous occasions over the years there has not been the remotest sign of complaint from the substitutes.

In-fighting and sulking has wrecked Brazilian campaigns in the past, notably in 1990 when players used television interviews to promote their case for a place in the team.

Two years later, Romario complained about starting a friendly on the bench and missed the 1994 World Cup qualifiers as a result.

Brazil struggled through without him and only qualified in their last match when he was brought back by popular acclaim to score both goals as they beat Uruguay 2-0 in their last match.

But Brazil appear to have learned from the pastand this time, as in 2002, unity is the key word.

The players even appear to have rehearsed their answers before facing the media.

''I know that Cafu is the first choice,'' said Cicinho, who is reserve right back to the Brazilian captain and has to fight for a place against a player who has appeared in the last three World Cup finals.

''I don't want to fight with him.

''I just want to have my own space in the squad because I know that the team wins with this.'' Midfielder Juninho Pernambucano, who would almost certainly be guaranteed a start in any other national team but is routinely on the bench for Brazil, was equally diplomatic.

''I'm not worried about this,'' said the Olympique Lyon player.

''Everyone has to be ready to play.'' In attack, reserve striker Fred is also happy to wait in the queue behind Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldinho.

''The team has been picked,'' he said. ''It's right that those guys play, they have been here for a long time. I've just arrived.'' Even Gilberto Silva, who was ever-present in the truimphant 2002 campaign but now starts as reserve to Emerson, appeared happy with his lot.

''You spend several days going through practically the same routine of hotel, practice and eating and if you haven't got your head in the right place, you could go a bit mad,'' he said.

''But it's something everyone would like to be doing. The guys who aren't here would like to be doing it and anyone who has played at the World Cup knows the importance of all this sacrifice.'' ''It's understandable that I'm not in the team because I had a long time out with injury. If it was another national team my comeback would maybe be different.

''With Brazil's its different, first you have to get back into the group then fight for your place in the team.'' Parreira said on May 3 that the world champions' team would be the one that started the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela in October, Brazil's last competitive match.

The team was Dida in goal, a back four of Cafu, Juan, Lucio and Roberto Carlos, Emerson and Ze Roberto as defensive midfielders, plus Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka..

After facing Croatia in their opener, Brazil will play Australia and Japan in Group F at the World Cup.

REUTERS