With Neymar hurt, Brazil turn to new faces

Rio de Janeiro March 13 (IANS) In the absence of injured star Neymar Brazil s national football team coach Tite has announced a squad with some surprises including forward Willian Jose for upcoming friendlies against Germany and Russia.

He acknowledged that the 25-man list does not include several players who may be part of the final roster for the 2018 World Cup in Russia reports Efe.

This month s friendlies are to be the last tune-ups before the competition begins in June.

Willian Jose a starter with Spain s Real Sociedad will be seeing his first action with the national team as a substitute for Neymar who is recovering from a foot surgery.

Doctors have yet to set a firm date for Neymar s return.

Also making his debut for Brazil will be Anderson Talisca who plays as a professional for Turkish club Besiktas.

Brazil will be away to Russia on March 23 and head to Germany four days later for a match against the defending World Cup champions.

It will be the Brazilians first meeting with Germany since their 1-7 loss to the European side in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"I want to give all the athletes opportunities right up until the end " coach Tite told a press conference on Monday.

"The final roster for World Cup was not released yet because everybody is still being evaluated " he added.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson Ederson Neto.
Defenders: Marcelo Daniel Alves Filipe Luis Fagner Marquinhos Thiago Silva Miranda Pedro Geromel Rodrigo Caio.
Midfielders: Casemiro Willian Fernandinho Fred Anderson Talisca Paulinho Philippe Coutinho Renato Augusto.
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus Roberto Firmino Douglas Costa Taison Willian Jose.

--IANS
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