Wednesday, April 17, 2006

By JAMES MULLIGAN

Staff writer

Brazil vs. Croatia June 14, Berlin, 4 a.m. kick off Brazil vs. Australia June 19, Munich, 1 a.m. kick off Brazil vs. Japan June 23, Dortmund, 4 a.m. kick off (kick off Japan time)

Road to Germany: Finished top of the South American qualifying group ahead of archrival Argentina on goal difference, losing just twice in 18 games.

Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira. He led Brazil to World Cup success at USA '94.

Captain: Cafu. The veteran AC Milan rightback, nearly 36, is returning from injury less than two months before the finals. Parreira is confident he will be ready to play in Germany. Cafu played in the '94, '98 and 2002 finals.

World Cup resume: Five-time winner (1958, '62, '70, '94 and 2002) and twice runnerup (1950 and 1998).

One to watch: The mesmerizing Ronaldinho. The 26-year-old Barcelona forward and France's Thierry Henry are the two best players in the world by far.

Strengths: Where do you start? Their attacking options are astonishing: Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Robinho, Inter Milan's Adriano, Ronaldinho and AC Milan's Kaka. Their midfield, too, is full of quality, with Juventus powerhouse Emerson alongside Bayern Munich's Ze Roberto. Almost all the players are used to winning, either at club level or with Brazil (many of the current team played in 2002).

Weaknesses: Ronaldo has been barracked by Real fans this season for his patchy form, while Real's Roberto Carlos is in the twilight of his career. Meanwhile, Adriano's nocturnal activities -- fast cars, Milan nightclubs, women who are not his pregnant fiancee -- are affecting his club form. Across town, goalkeeper Dida of AC Milan has had a few wobbles this season, while the truly hapless central defender Roque Junior continues to defy logic by playing for the national team.

Japan vs. Brazil: It is the last match of Group F for both, and Japan has to hope Brazil is already qualified. If there is any chance of the South Americans taking the foot off the gas it is if the samba boys are already safely through to the next round and are looking to rest a few players. The fact Zico is a legend around that part of the world may mean Brazil takes it that little bit easier if Japan is in a pinch. It won't be the first time favors like that have happened.

JTO tournament prediction: Group F winner and ultimately losing semifinalist. Many predict to win its sixth World Cup, but its creaking, aging defense and troubled forwards will cancel out all the good that will undoubtably come from the magic feet of Ronaldinho.

Possible starting lineup: 4-3-3 formation
Position	Player	Club
Goalkeeper	Dida	AC Milan (Italy)
Right back	Cafu	AC Milan (Italy)
Center back	Lucio	Bayern Munich (Germany)
Center back	Roque Junior	Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Left back	Roberto Carlos	Real Madrid (Spain)
Midfield	Emerson	Juventus (Italy)
Midfield	Ze Roberto	Bayern Munich (Germany)
Midfield	Kaka	AC Milan (Italy)
Forward	Ronaldinho	Barcelona (Spain)
Forward	Adriano	Inter Milan (Italy)
Forward	Ronaldo	Real Madrid (Spain)

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