Brazil leave Romario out of squad

Brazil have surprisingly left veteran striker Romario out of their squad for the decisive World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela next week.

The 35-year-old, still rated as Brazil's most dangerous forward despite his age, was expected to be rewarded with a recall after a recent goal glut made him joint leading scorer in the Brazilian championship with 13.

But coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has chosen instead to include Corinthians striker Luizao -- who has made an impressive return to action after a six-month absence caused by a knee injury -- as he named the home-based players for the matches.

The decision has denied Romario a chance to repeat the rescue act he performed for Brazil eight years ago.

On that occasion, Romario returned from a year on the international sidelines -- imposed for indiscipline -- to score the two goals against Uruguay that guaranteed Brazil a place at the 1994 World Cup after a difficult qualifying campaign.

Brazil went on to win the trophy in the United States, with Romario scoring five goals.

This time, Brazil -- the only country to play at every World Cup -- have once again stumbled through the qualifiers and still need to make sure of a place in Japan and South Korea next year.

They are fourth in the South American qualifying group with 27 points, two more than fifth-placed Uruguay and six more than sixth-placed Colombia.

The top four teams qualify directly for the World Cup and the fifth plays off against Oceania winners Australia over two legs.

Brazil are away to Bolivia -- who lost a 16-year unbeaten home record in qualifiers when they were beaten by Ecuador earlier this month -- on November 7 and then play Venezuela at home a week later.

Both Bolivia and Venezuela are out of the running for a World Cup place.

The game against Bolivia will be at La Paz 3,600 metres above sea level, where Brazil won 3-1 in the 1997 Copa America final on their last visit.

Atletico Mineiro midfielder Gilberto Silva was the only uncapped player included in the squad.

Squad:

Goalkeepers - Marcos (Palmeiras), Dida (Corinthians)

Defenders - Cafu (AS Roma), Serginho (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Belletti (Sao Paulo), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Cris (Cruzeiro), Juan (Flamengo), Edmilson (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders - Ze Roberto (Bayer Leverkusen), Gilberto Silva (Atletico Madrid), Rivaldo (Barcelona), Juninho Paulista (Vasco da Gama), Vampeta (Flamengo), Emerson Ferreira (AS Roma)

Forwards - Marcelinho Paraiba (Hertha Berlin), Edilson (Flamengo), Ronaldinho Gaucho (Paris St Germain), Denilson (Real Betis), Luizao (Corinthians), Elber (Bayern Munich)