RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 1: 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.

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).—Reuters