The Third Post

Qualifications for the World Cup are over. All that is left is to prepare for the upcoming group stages by formalizing a first squad team with the remaining few crucial pre-tournament friendly matches. When trying to formalize a squad for Brazil, the tournament’s reining champions, most football enthusiast immediate launch into a debate about their potential offensive power, especially with forwards with the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano, and Robino. Yet, no one seems to be talking about Brazil’s defensive capabilities.

Most Brazilians do not see the position of goalkeeper as contentious, but maybe they should. Carlos Alberto Parreira first choice keeper has always been AC Milan’s Nelson Dida, and rightfully so, since Dida has won almost everything with his club team. On a national level, Dida was part of the winning squad in Brazil’s Confederations Cup conquest in 2005. Even though the all important position looks like it belongs to Dida, should that mean that no other goalkeeper deserves a chance to show they have what it takes to wear the number one?

Parreira’s second choice for keeper has been Inter Milan’s Julio Cesar, who showed his worth during the 2004 Copa America in Peru. But let us not forget the veterans, namely Palmeira’s Silveira Marcos that led Brazil’s squad to World Cup victory in 2002. His experience is simply invaluable at this level of competition. There should definitely be a spot for him, even if his contribution is more of an advising role.

Finally, we have Sao Paulo’s Rogerio Ceni who has had an amazing year. He began by winning the 2005 Libertadores Cup, and following it up with an awesome performance against Liverpool, which secured his club with 2005 World Club Championship. Apart from blocking opponent’s goals, he’s also scored quite a few from free kicks last season!

In the end, Brazilians can take comfort that whomever ends up defending their net will chosen from the best of the best of modern day goalkeepers.