Brazil include big guns in squad

Brazil have named most of their big guns, including Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano, in their squad for next month's friendly against Hong Kong in a move that is likely to upset European clubs.

Hard-tackling Juventus midfielder Emerson was recalled after an absence of more than one year while Santos forward Robinho, still the subject of speculation over a possible move to Real Madrid, was also named for the match in Hong Kong on February 9.

Emerson last played in the World Cup qualifier in Peru last March and Robinho made his only international appearance as a substitute against Bolivia in September.

Brazil's last visit to Asia, a friendly in China in February 2003, ended in a goalless draw and infuriated European clubs who were forced to release their players for the game.

Last August, AC Milan refused to release Kaka, Cafu and Dida for the so-called peace match in Haiti.

The Hong Kong fixture has already sparked controversy in Brazil itself, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) publicly denying that it is receiving a $1 million fee for the fixture.

"The organisation does not have financial participation in this match," the CBF said in a statement.

The CBF says the match has been arranged by one of its sponsors.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who said last year that he preferred friendlies against top-ranking European teams, was diplomatic about facing a side who are 134th in FIFA's world rankings.

"This friendly fills a gap in the fixture list and keeps the national team in action," he said.

"We always get something positive from these games."

Goalkeepers: Gomes (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Julio Cesar (Flamengo)

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan, Italy), Belletti (Barcelona, Spain), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, Spain), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Roque Junior (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Lucio (Bayern Munich, Germany), Luisao (Benfica, Portugal)

Midfielders: Alex (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Diego (Porto, Portugal), Elano (Santos, Brazil), Emerson (Juventus, Italy), Julio Baptista (Sevilla, Spain), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon, France), Renato (Sevilla, Spain), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich, Germany)