Filipe Luis eyes a chance in Brazil football team

Manaus (Brazil) Sep 3 (IANS) Defender Filipe Luis said he will attempt to stake a claim for a regular starting berth in Brazil s national football team if given the chance to play against Colombia in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Luis is expected to line up at left-back in the match in Barranquilla in place of Real Madrid s defender Marcelo who is suspended reports Xinhua news agency.

"My objective is to leave the manager in doubt and to make it difficult for him to decide who to select " Luis told a press conference in Brazil s Amazonian capital where the Selecao are training.

"I want Marcelo to feel under pressure because competition is always healthy and makes you grow as a player " he added.

Despite losing his place as Brazil s first-choice left-back since Tite replaced Dunga as national team coach in June last year Luis said he was happy to remain a member of the squad.

"Every player wants to play as much as possible but Tite has managed to keep the group happy even players who aren t playing like me and Thiago Silva " the Atletico Madrid defender said.

Brazil lead the South American zone CONMEBOL standings with 36 points 11 points clear of second-placed Colombia with three matches remaining.

The top four teams will earn an automatic place at next year s World Cup in Russia while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.

--IANS
sam/vt