Brazil to play in Singapore

Brazil's Olympic team will prepare for their Beijing outing with a friendly against a Singapore select team on July 28.

By Ian Griffiths and Kelvin Leong

Brazil, with star names Ronaldinho and Robinho in their midst, are busy preparing for a date with destiny in China, and see a Singapore side - and the island republic's benevolent weather conditions - as ideal preparation for their assault on an Olympic title that has so far eluded them.

According to Football Association of Singapore sources, the Singapore team to play Brazil at the National Stadium is to be made up of both international and non-capped S.League players, and will be coached by current national team boss Raddy Avramovic.

With a host of star names set to feature and the fact that Brazil have already been installed as favourites to claim gold in Beijing, news of the fixture is certain to generate immense interest amongst Singapore's footballing aficionados,

Ronaldinho, who only this week completed a transfer from Barcelona to Serie A giants AC Milan, and Robinho, a target for Chelsea, are two of the three over 23-year-old players allowed to compete for each team at the Olympics.

Talented Fluminense defender Thiago Silva is the third overage player named in coach Dunga's squad.

Other notable names expected to play in Singapore include AC Milan's teenage prodigy Alexandre Pato, Manchester United favourite Anderson, Liverpool's Lucas and Diego from Werder Bremen.

The Brazilians, who have won five FIFA World Cups, won the silver medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as silver in 1988. They also won bronze in the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Brazil will arrive in Singapore on July23. Whilst in South East Asia, they will also play Vietnam on August 1, seven days before the official start of the 2008 Olympics.

Brazil Olympic Squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional).

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Schalke 04), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Lucas (Liverpool), Anderson (Manchester United), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Ronaldinho (AC Milan), Diego (Werder Bremen), Thiago Neves (Fluminense).

Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Jo (Manchester City).