From Maracana to the Midlands, here come Brazil

October 11, 2003 - Brazil's World Cup winning, never-ending global lap of honour makes another stop on Sunday - in the humble English east Midlands where they take on Jamaica in a friendly international.

For Carlos Alberto Parreira's five-time world champions, the match is ideal preparation for next month's 2006 World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay while, for hosts Leicester City, the game represents a magical conclusion to a year in which the Premiership side have fought off a major financial crisis.

Eight months ago, they were in administration.

"It's very difficult for Brazil to play home games," said Parreira who, with the exception of Barcelona's Ronaldinho, can call on a full strength squad.

"We have travelled all around the world and it's not easy to get the best players together.

"Now that we have this game in England it gives us an excellent opportunity to train and work together ahead of two very important World Cup qualifying games next month."

Not surprisingly, with the talents of Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos on show, the match at the Walkers Stadium is a 32,000 sell-out and the Premiership side can't disguise their delight.

With Brazil desperate to get their key players together in Europe without having to fly them to South America, Leicester fought off a number of rivals to stage the high-profile match.

"I think the Brazilians liked the idea that we were so keen to accommodate them and make this game happen at such short notice," said Leicester City chief executive Tim Davies.

Parreira dismissed the suggestion his side will be taking the fixture lightly.

"There's no such thing as a friendly for Brazil," he insisted.

"As World Cup winners five times, there's a responsibility to provide the highest quality of football in every game we play.

"Every game that we play is a special occasion and it will be no different on Sunday."

The coach, who was at the helm when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994 in the United States, also admitted he is still awe-struck at the talent at his disposal.

"There's no other country in the world that has so many truly great players," he said.

Jamaica will include Leicester City defender Frank Sinclair in their ranks and will be skippered by veteran Theodore Whatmore, who plays his club football with Livingston in Scotland.

Source: WorldSoccerNews.com

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