By Doug Reed @DougReedFutsal

Brazil have announced the squad of fourteen that will participate in the 2013 Grand Prix Tournament next month. This will be the first major tournament for the new coach Ney Pereira.

He has chosen to refresh the squad, bringing in many young players. Falcao, Rodrigo and Fernandinho provide the experience but most of the players who retained the World Cup just under a year ago have been left out.

These include Thiago, Gabriel, Ari, Simi, Vinicius and Wilde. However the biggest surprise of them all is the lack of a call up for Neto. The 32 year old won the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament in Thailand and scored the championship winning goal in the final just seconds before the game would have gone to penalties.

It is certainly a brave decision by the coach to exclude a player of such talent and he will be open to criticism if he doesn't deliver in front of a home crowd in what will be his first big test. He has also left Thiago of Joinville out despite being first choice in the World Cup. Bateria of Spain's Inter Movistar has been drafted in, probably partly to keep him out of Spain's hands as there were rumours he will take Spanish citizenship.

Brazil will play a friendly against Guatemala before their first game of the Grand Prix on October 22nd against Japan. They will also face Argentina and Iran in Group A. Group B consists of Russia, Serbia, Paraguay and Guatemala.

Brazil Squad

Goalkeepers

Guitta (Intelli/Orlândia – SP)
Djony (CSM/Jaraguá - SC)
Rennan (Carlos Barbosa - RS )

Defenders

Grilo (Atlântico – RS)
Rodrigo (Carlos Barbosa – RS)

Wingers

Serginho (Benfica – POR)
Falcão (Intelli/Orlândia – SP)
Bateria (Inter Movistar – ESP)
Daniel (Carlos Barbosa – RS)
Zico (Atlântico – RS)
Fernandinho (Dínamo – RUS)
Dyego (Krona – SC)

Pivots

Sinoê (Intelli/Orlândia – SP)
Jé (Intelli/Orlândia – SP)





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