Brazil to meet Estonia with Confed Cup champs

By Tales Azzoni

Most of the Brazil players who won the Confederations Cup will play a friendly against Estonia in Tallinn next month.

Brazil plays Estonia on Aug. 12 in the team's last match before a World Cup qualifier against South American rival Argentina.

Only three Confederations Cup champions were left out _ AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato, Internacional left back Kleber and Gremio goalkeeper Victor.

Dunga added Real Madrid defender Marcelo and young Atletico Mineiro forward Diego Tardelli. A third goalkeeper was not summoned to replace Victor.

Brazil won all five matches it played at the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June, clinching the title with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the United States in the final.

Again, not in Dunga's 22-man squad were AC Milan's Ronaldinho, Flamengo's Adriano and Corinthians' Ronaldo, who was regaining his form until he broke his hand in a Brazilian league match over the weekend.

Dunga said Ronaldinho remains in his plans if the playmaker plays well with Milan in the upcoming season.

"It's too early, we have to wait for the Italian league and the European tournaments to begin before making a more detailed analysis," he said of Ronaldinho.

The coach will continue to rely on Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Inter Milan defender Lucio, Real Madrid midfielder Kaka and Manchester City striker Robinho.

Dunga said he recalled left back Marcelo because the Real Madrid player improved his performance after returning to defense at the Spanish club following a period in midfield.

The coach also praised Tardelli, who played for Brazil's youth teams but had never been called up for the senior squad.

"Tardelli has been playing well in Brazil for the past two years and it's an opportunity to observe him from up close," Dunga said.

Brazil will play at Argentina on Sept. 5 trying to defend its lead in the South American qualifying group. The five-time world champions have 27 points, one more than Chile and three more than Paraguay. Argentina is fourth with 22 points. The top four nations automatically secure a spot in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham).
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Lucio (Inter Milan), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica).
Midfielders: Elano (Manchester City), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (Real Madrid), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Kleberson (Flamengo), Ramires (Cruzeiro).
Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Robinho (Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal).