Ronaldinho still in World Cup reach, says Scolari

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has insisted Ronaldinho remains¹ in his World Cup plans despite leaving the two-time FIFA world player of the year out of a 22-man squad² to face Italy and Russia.

　　Speaking during a press conference here on Tuesday, Scolari said Ronaldinho would have another chance to earn a place in Brazil's squad for June's Confederations Cup.

　　"Ronaldinho will be called up next time," the 2002 World Cup-winning coach said. "All potential World Cup squad members will be given at least two matches to be looked at."

　　The former Barcelona star's fellow veteran and Ballon d'Or winner Kaka was recalled after being omitted from the team that lost to England 2-1 at London's Wembley Stadium last month.

　　Ronaldinho played in the match but missed an early penalty and was substituted at half-time.

　　"Kaka's return goes with our philosophy of giving everybody a chance," Scolari said. "Many of the players are fighting for the same position.I will observe all of them and then I will decide who will go to the Confederations Cup."

　　Brazil will play Italy in Geneva on March 21 before meeting Russia at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in London four days later.

　　As expected Paris Saint-Germain stars Lucas and Thiago Silva have been included along with strikers Neymar (Santos) and Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg's Hulk).

　　Scolari also called up in-form Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa for the first time.

　　The Confederations, to be played in Brazil from June 15-30, will comprise each of FIFA's six continental³ champions and European runners-up Italy. It is considered by FIFA as a warm-up event for the World Cup a year later.

　　Squad:

　　Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)

　　Defenders⁴: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Dede (Vasco da Gama), Dante (Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)

　　Midfielders: Paulinho (Corinthians), Fernando (Gremio), Ramires (Chelsea), Jean (Fluminense), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Hernanes (Lazio), Kaka (Real Madrid), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas (Paris Saint Germain), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

　　Strikers: Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St-Petersburg).

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

3 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。

4 defenders   

n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者

参考例句：

• The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》