Parreira sees good and bad things in Brazil's first full practice

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Saturday Brazil's first full practice ahead of the World Cup showed the defending champion still needs to improve.

Photo: Parreira sees good and bad things in Brazil's first full practice

"After eight months, it was the first time this team played together," Parreira told the Brazilian Soccer Confederation's Web site. "There's no secret in soccer ... you need (to have) progress."

In about 50 minutes of action, Brazil's starters beat the second-stringers 4-0 with two goals by Ronaldo, one by Adriano and another by Ze Roberto.

"There were some things that went wrong, others went very well," Parreira said.

As already announced, Parreira used his "magic quartet" scheme, with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo up front. Ze Roberto and Emerson were the defensive midfielders, and Dida, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Lucio and Juan played on defense.

Parreira stopped the practice several times, rearranging players tactically and asking them to repeat some set plays. Defender Chris scored for the reserves in one of the repeated plays but the goal didn't count.

Brazil's soccer confederation, or CBF, announced that the team will face the youth squad of Brazilian club Fluminense on Sunday at the lakeside resort town of Weggis, where Brazil is preparing to defend its world title in Germany.

Parreira said he expected the warmup to be very useful for the team's preparation.

"We will play a team in the middle of its season, in good physical conditions ... while ours is in the end."

Brazil will play two friendlies in Switzerland against FC Lucerne on May 30 and against New Zealand on June 4 before moving to Germany in early June.

It will debut in the monthlong tournament against Croatia on June 13, then will face Australia on June 18 and Japan on June 22, reports AP.

O.Ch.