Saudi Arabia hope Brazil will help win Arab derby

MUNICH, June 13 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia hope their team of 11 Brazilians, all working off the pitch, will hand the ''sons of the desert'' victory against Tunisia in the Group H opener tomorrow.

Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta today said the experts have prepared the team as good as possible for the Arab derby.

''We are working with a group of 11 Brazilians so we have the best preparation in every sector,'' the former Brazilian national youth team coach said.

Paqueta, who only took over late last year, has brought in assistant coaches, physiologists, and fitness trainers to help prepare the team.

''In the physical department we have the man who treated (Brazilians) Ronaldo and Rivaldo at the last World Cup,'' he said.

''We are bringing our experience to the national team of Saudi Arabia,'' he said. ''The team is deeply Brazilian also in its system and its formation. We are giving freedom to players to act on the field,'' Paqueta said.

The Saudis hope to kick off their campaign against Tunisia with a win to increase their already slim chances for qualifying to the second stage, just like they did in 1994. They play Spain and Ukraine next.

But they also want to erase an 8-0 drubbing by Germany at the tournament four years ago, the second highest in the history of World Cup matches.

''This is indeed an Arab derby with a lot of importance. There are also no really big differences in the two teams,'' said Paqueta.

''It will be decided on the little details and we will dominate those details,'' he told reporters.

Paqueta is one of a long list of Brazilians who have coached Saudi Arabia, including Mario Zagallo and current Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Reuters PM GC1849