By Daraine Luton, Staff ReporterWORLD CUP star Bebeto, who arrives today, will strengthen an already strong Brazilian team from Rio de Janiero that will tackle the Reggae Boyz at the National Stadium on Sunday in a friendly international put on by Red Stripe, the marketers of Guinness.
The team, which arrived on Wednesday afternoon, enjoyed a workout at the Barbican playfield yesterday. Coached by Carlos Alberto Torres, the Brazilians hope to put the Reggae Boyz to the sword as the hosts may be flat mentally coming off a terrible 5-0 thrashing from Mexico in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup last Sunday.
Being one of the few occasions that an overseas team has come in days before their game, Torres told The Gleaner the rationale for the early arrival was twofold.
"They invited us to come in early for the promotion and also to have a chance to practice and feel the atmosphere. For us it is a great pleasure to be in Jamaica, it's wonderful weather," said Torres who has been hailed as one of the greatest right-backs the game has ever seen.
During a 45-minute practice stint yesterday, the team, which includes at least seven Brazilian national team representatives, got the chance to feel the strength of a few of Jamaica's national footballers.
Fabian Davis, Shane Crawford and Kevin Wilson were all in action against the South Americans.
Careca, a veteran of two World Cups, demonstrated he still posessess those deft touches which suggests the National Stadium should be in for a treat on Sunday.
Torres said not only Careca would provide a show but the entire team.
"They can expect the best from us because we have put together good players and tomorrow Bebeto is coming and so we expect a very good game on Sunday," Torres said.
"They are very happy to be here ... I promise the crowd that they will have the chance to watch a beautiful game...we have here some very good players and that's why we are very confident," he added.
Squads - Rio de Janiero (from): Wagner (1), Bruno Carvalho (2), Fabio Carvalito (12), Jorge Luiz (3), Goncalves (4), Humberto (5), Andre Ladaque (6), Bebeto (7), Marcelinho (8), Careca (9), Fabio Augusto (10), Renatinho (11), China (13), Alexandre (14), Luiz Carlos (15), Robinho (16) and Fabiano (17).
Jamaica: Aaron Lawrence, Donovan Ricketts, Sean Sawyers, Marco McDonald, Damion Stewart, Gerald Neil, Shane Crawford, Tyrone Sawyers, Fabian Dawkins, Cornel Chin-Sue, Theodore Whitmore, Keith Kelly, Johnathan Williams, Damion Williams, Roland Dean, Garfield Reid, Roen Nelson, Teofore Bennett, Fabian Taylor, Prince Moncrieffe, Onandi Lowe, Khari Strickland, Wayne Ellis, Trevor McEachron and Wolry Wolfe.
