Scolari recalls European stars for Brazil

Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Vampeta and Elber are all back in the Brazil squad as they prepare to face Panama and Paraguay next month.

All are expected to play in the 2002 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on August 15th as Brazil start their run of four matches to decide their World Cup future.

In all coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has caled up 13 players based in Eurpe although Ronaldo is being allowed to continue his pre season work with Inter as he tries to recover from knee surgery.

Brazil have arranged a Curitiba friendly on August 9th against Panama after Jamaica, Honduras and Guatemala al failed to accept their invitations to play Scolari's team.

Scolari has abandoned the reserve squad which was elimintaed from the rescheduled Copa America on Sunday by Honduras and turned again to the experienced players who have been booed from the field by fans for the past year.

Rivaldo in particular has much to prove to Scolari and the Brazilian fans after a year of dismal form for the national team.

Elber was originally included in the Copa America squad but German club Bayern Muncih refused to release him insisting he would not be safe in Colombia.

But Mauro Silva who quit the Copa America squad at Sao Paulo airport after checking in for the squad's flight was not caled up by Scolari.

The remainder of the squad from home based players will be named on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper - Dida (AC Milan)

Defenders - Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Roque Junior (AC Milan), Cafu (AS Roma), Junior (Parma), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders - Vampeta (Paris St Germain), Eduardo Costa (Girondins Bordeaux), Alex (Parma) Rivaldo (Barcelona)

Strikers - Elber (Bayern Munich), Denilson (Betis), Marcelinho Paraiba (Hertha Berlin).