By Suman Malla/Doha
Brazil midfielder Lucas is disappointed Steven Gerrard is not in the England team as he had a bet with him over who would win tomorrow’s match in Doha.
Lucas, who joined Liverpool from Gremio in 2007, said he would be badly missing his club captain Gerrard.
“I know a lot of the English players through Liverpool. But it’s a pain Steven Gerrard won’t be playing because I’ve bet him we’ll win,” Lucas said yesterday.
And the young star, who is also looking to cement his position in coach Dunga’s scheme of things for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, expects England to present a tough challenge to the five-time world champions tomorrow.
“England are a top-level side. They are with the big teams in the best league in the world,” he told reporters ahead of their training session at the Thani Bin Jassim stadium in Gharafa yesterday.
“They have emerged as a potent force under coach Fabio Capello. Now they play really well as a unit,” he said, pointing to England’s strong showing in the qualifiers.
“Of course, England have always had a good squad and their results in recent matches were phenomenal.”
England won nine out of 10 matches in the Group 6 qualifiers, including a 5-1 crushing of Croatia at Wembley.
He predicts a thrilling match despite its “friendly” label. “The World Cup is upon us now therefore it serves as a good game for both sides to see where do we stand now,” he said.
But the 22-year-old warned that the Selecao, under the uncompromising Dunga, have improved a lot.
“He (Dunga) has made a big impact with a mix of flair and rigour,” he said. “Brazil have a lot of quality and skilful players but we also defend well. That is the key for any team and we will try to do that against England.
“With Brazil, people expect you to play with skill and flair all the time. But under Dunga we are looking to play as a solid unit.”
Lucas is confident about Brazil putting up a good show.
“To defeat England would confirm Brazil as favourites for the World Cup and I want to convince my coach Dunga that I should go to South Africa.”
Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fabio Aurelio (Liverpool), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Juan (AS Roma), Naldo (Werder Bremen)
Midfielders: Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Elano (Galatasaray), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Benfica), Alex (CSKA Moscow), Kaka (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Robinho (Manchester City), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Hulk (Porto), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim)
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