RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters)
Brazil flourished in Ronaldo's absence and produced one of its best performances since the last World Cup in its 4-1 defeat of Paraguay in Porto Alegre.
Striker Robinho subjected the visitors to his full repertoire of tricks, Ronaldinho and Kaka were in inspired form and midfielder Ze Roberto produced arguably his best display in a Brazil shirt in Sunday's World Cup qualifier
It was the ideal way for the world champions to prepare for Wednesday's match away to archrival Argentina, where the winners will book their place in Germany next year with three games to spare.
Brazil, which is second in the 10-nation South American group with 27 points, cut Argentina's lead to one point with four matches to play.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who surprisingly dropped Ronaldo for the two qualifiers, was quick to dispel suggestions that Ronaldo was losing favor with the national team.
"We're counting on him for the match against Chile in September," Parreira told reporters. He's one of the best in Brazilian football, he will be important in the campaign for the sixth world title and we are going to count on him in the future."
Parreira's decision to leave out Ronaldo came after the Real Madrid striker said he wanted to be rested from the Confederations Cup in the second half of June.
Parreira, who had previously warned that players could not pick and choose matches, said that if Ronaldo was too tired to play in Germany, it did not make sense to pick him for the qualifiers either.
MORE CHANCES
Despite Parreira's assurances about Ronaldo's return, Brazil, with Adriano and Robinho in attack, passed the ball around more freely and created more chances than they do when Ronaldo is on the field.
Santos forward Robinho showed all the charisma which has brought attention from top European clubs.
He won the second of Brazil's penalties with one of his famous stepovers and capped his performance with the fourth goal.
"It's good to play with intelligent players such as Ronaldinho and Kaka," he said.
Parreira, however, spared his highest praise for midfielder Ze Roberto, whom he has kept in the team in the face of mounting criticism.
Ze Roberto replied by scoring a superb third goal and hitting the crossbar.
"This performances proves that this player has been done an injustice," said Parreira.
"He has shown that his game is not just about tactical discipline, but he passes the ball with quality and his finishing is refined."
"He's a very important player who gives everything for the team."
هذا نص تقرير رويترز حول تصريحات بيريرا عن غياب رونالدو خلال مباراتي باراجواي والارجنتين وللاسف لان انجليزيتي (دون مستوى الترجمة) فقد تركت هذه المهمة لاحد الاعضاء المبدعين في هذا المجال ..
أهم النقاط التي فهمتها من هذه المقابلة
يقول إن رونالدو ضروري لمنتخب البرازيل خلال حملته للدفاع عن لقبه في ألمانيا 2006م
ويقول إن رونالدو فقد رغبته للعب مع المنتخب
ويقول إن على اللاعبين أن لا يختاروا المباريات التي يجب أن يلعبوا فيها
ويقول اذا كان رونالدو متعبا من اللعب في كاس القارات فمن المنطقي أن يكون متعبا لكي يلعب مباراتي التصفيات
ويقول إن الثنائي روبينيو وأدريانو يتحركان بشكل أفضل
وبالنسبة لتصريحات روبينيو
يقول إن اللعب مع لاعبين أذكياء في خط الوسط مثل كاكا ورونالدينيو جيد جدا
