Scots get ready for Brazilian rendezvous

ST ROMY-DE-PROVENCE, JUNE 9: Scotland finally leave their refuge here in the south of France today to keep their Paris rendezvous with Brazi...

ST ROMY-DE-PROVENCE, JUNE 9: Scotland finally leave their refuge here in the south of France today to keep their Paris rendezvous with Brazil, reputedly the most formidable team in international football. Curiously, none among Craig Brown8217;s fit and soundly-prepared squad of 22, working out in the heat as the Mistral swept through the place, showed any signs of anxiety.

In accordance with FIFA regulations, the Scots fly to the French capital at lunch-time in order to be at the venue of the World Cup8217;s opening match 24 hours before kick-off.

Their fear of over-exposure to the sun 8212; all the media interviews were conducted in the large, airy hall they have reserved for the purpose here 8212; appears to run deeper than any apprehension they may be experiencing over confronting Mario Zagallo8217;s world champions at the magnificent Stade de France.

Even Colin Calderwood, the Tottenham central defender who will probably stitch himself on to the celebrated striker8217;s canary-yellow shirt for most of the match, refusedto be fazed by the prospect. Indeed, the quietly-spoken but diamond-hard Calderwood reasoned that the Brazilian prodigy will be subject to more pressure than any of the other 21 players on the field.

When asked to compare Ronaldo with Romario, the little Brazilian hero of USA 8217;94, Calderwood admitted he thought the 21-year-old was more gifted and more menacing than his predecessor, who has been denied the opportunity of a second winner8217;s medal by injury. 8220;But it has to be remembered,8221; Calderwood quickly added, 8220;that Romario was part of a team who went on to win the World Cup. That is really something to have to live up to and it brings a little more pressure on Ronaldo who, I would think, already has enough on his plate.

8220;The thing about Brazil is that they start every World Cup with their countrymen expecting them to win it. That8217;s some burden to carry. For us, even finishing second in the group to make the second phase will be success.8221;

Calderwood conceded that the Scots are slightlydisadvantaged by never having played against any of their opponents in the past. 8220;It8217;s usually better to have experience of an opponent,8221; he said, 8220;although not if he8217;s scored a hat-trick the last time you met. Pace is the hardest thing to stop and especially in this World Cup where any crude attempt will get you a red card under the new FIFA instructions.8221;

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Free of injury worries the Scots have deliberately taken no risks in training Craig Brown should have the luxury tomorrow of selecting a first XI from a full complement of candidates.

TEAMS Brazil: 1-Taffarel, 2-Cafu, 3-Aldair, 4-Junior Baiano, 6-Roberto Carlos, 5-Cesar Sampaio, 8-Dunga, 7-Giovanni, 10-Rivaldo, 9-Ronaldo, 19-Bebeto.

Scotland possible: 1-Jim Leighton, 3-Tom Boyd, 4-Colin Calderwood, 5-Colin Hendry, 6-Tosh McKinlay, 8-Craig Burley, 11-John Collins, 14-Paul Lambert, 17-Billy McKinlay, 7-Kevin Gallagher, 9-Gordon Durie.

Prefix indicates jersey number