Brazil and Australia meet in double-header to start rebuilds

TOWNSVILLE:

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil and hosts Australia will use their friendly double-header as the first stage of a rebuilding process following the World Cup.

Brazil take on the Socceroos in Townsville on Friday before a second clash in Brisbane next Tuesday.

It will be both countries’ first outings since their World Cup campaigns ended in July.

The Socceroos bowed out in the round of 32, while five-time champions Brazil suffered a shock loss to Norway in the last 16.

Brazil coach Ancelotti has responded by selecting only nine players from their World Cup squad for the two Australian matches and a friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3.

Chelsea forwards Joao Pedro and Estevao were recalled, while Ancelotti has included several new faces, among them goalkeepers Pedro Morisco and Otavio, defender Mauro Junior, and midfielders Breno Bidon and Gabriel Bontempo.

Several of Brazil’s established stars will be in action, including forwards Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and central defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos.

Guimaraes said this week that it was important that new faces had been included.

“We are constantly refining talent in our country,” he said.

“It’s crucial to have that solid foundation so the coach can keep discovering new talent.

“Of course we respect Australia and hope we have a great game,” he added.

“Things haven’t been great recently, but from my perspective, the only way to turn the situation around is by playing well and winning games.”

Australian coach Tony Popovic also swung the selection axe, omitting 10 players from the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, including veteran goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan and striker Cristian Volpato, who was fined this month after testing positive for cocaine.

Popovic named seven uncapped players in the 25-man squad, which was rocked by the injury-forced withdrawal of in-form Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure.

Australia are building towards the Asian Cup in January-February.

Experienced midfielder Jackson Irvine said the two Brazil matches were a good chance for new players to prove themselves on a big stage.

“I think it’s a really exciting one for us, to come off the back of the World Cup and progress even further with our football, with new players, and with a chance to take the next step again,” he said.

“We need to take another step.

“We did amazing things over the summer, but we’ve got another tournament coming, and for us to grow, we have to look to progress.”

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