Brazil pick young squad for friendly

SAO PAULO (AP):

New Brazil coach Mano Menezes will try to add the 'Beautiful Game' to the well-disciplined tactics of his predecessor in the national team.

Menezes was officially introduced as Brazil coach yesterday, calling up a squad for the first time and vowing to try to make Brazil play with flair and style again.

He is replacing Dunga, whose pragmatic team was eliminated by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa.

"There are several ways of winning and I respect all of them," Menezes said. "I will try to choose the way that gives us the best chance of winning. If that can be done with the 'beautiful game' that everyone likes, it would be the best. We will try to get as close as possible to that."

Dunga's team achieved significant results ahead of the World Cup, but his defensive-minded scheme was not good enough to give Brazil its sixth world title.

"Dunga's team was disciplined tactically and that was positive," Menezes said. "That's what I want for Brazil, to be well organised tactically. Because, with the talented players that we have, we will always have the capacity to win."

Menezes chose a young squad for the national team's first match after the World Cup, picking Alexandre Pato, Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar for the friendly against the United States on August 10.

Only four players were included from Brazil's World Cup squad in South Africa - Daniel Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho. Kaka, Luis Fabiano and goalkeeper Julio Cesar were among those not summoned on Monday.

"It's the beginning of a renovation, with the goal being the 2014 World Cup and the (2012) London Olympics," Menezes said.

Menezes will have the difficult task of coaching the national team at the home tournament, which will take place in Brazil for the first time since 1950.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Renan (Avai), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Gremio).

Defenders: Rafael (Manchester United), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), David Luiz (Benfica), Henrique (Racing Santander), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Ederson (Lyon), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Liverpool), Jucilei (Corinthians), Ramires (Benfica), Sandro (Internacional).

Strikers: Robinho (Santos), Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Andre (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro.)