Brazil's soccer team leaves for Switzerland for World Cup preparation

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's national soccer team prepared to leave for Switzerland on Sunday to begin its quest for a record sixth World Cup title.

Defending champions Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and 11 other players were to leave late Sunday from Rio's Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, arriving Monday in Zurich, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, co-ordinator Mario Zagallo and the team's medical and training staff will travel with the team.

Eight team members that play for European clubs will report to the squad directly in Switzerland, the CBF said. They include Cafu, Dida, Edmilson, Fred, Gilberto Silva, Lucio, Kaka and Ze Roberto.

Juninho, who plays for Lyon in France, will fly to Switzerland from his home state of Pernambuco, in northeastern Brazil.

The team will train until June 4 in Weggis, a serene resort town of 3,000 people by Lake Lucerne, in the shadow of the Swiss Alps.

The World Cup starts on June 9 in Germany, when Brazil will seek an unprecedented sixth title. Brazil won the title in 1958, '62, '70, '94 and 2002.

posted by nscafuro @ 9:37 PM