Top stars train indoors

“They have no problems, it’s just that the team doctor decided they would benefit more from a physical workout,” a team spokesman said. “They are following a programme to build their muscles. Don’t read anything into this.” Roberto Carlos told reporters he felt a twinge in his lower left leg after Brazil’s 4-0 drubbing of China on Saturday but stressed it was nothing serious.

The only other injury worry is Kleberson who turned his right ankle in training today, although team doctor Jose Luis Runco said it was nothing to worry about.

At the Mipo Field, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari put the squad through a relaxed hour of light exercise and passing practice.

While Brazil exhibited some of the silky skills of old in their comprehensive win over China, their passing was at times way ward and Scolari made it clear after the match that it needed to improve.

After two wins and six goals from two games Brazil are through to the round of 16 and have emerged as favourites to win a fifth World Cup. They play Costa Rica in their final Group C game in Suwon on Thursday.

Beckham is still the best: Carlos

Brazilian wing back Roberto Carlos says England’s David Beckham is better at free-kicks than he is despite scoring a thunderbolt against China at the weekend.

The Real Madrid star, whose incredible freekicks sometimes divert attention away from the rest of his all round game, fired a cannonball from 25 metres past the diving Jiang Jin in Brazil’s 4-0 win on Saturday for the opening goal.

But he says the England captain is a better exponent. “I think Beckham can decide a match more than me,” he said at the team’s training base in Ulsan. “It’s difficult to say who has the most powerful shot but I think he’s better at placing the ball.

In my case I just close my eyes and put all my strength into the kick.” Beckham, whose pinpoint passing, curling corners and powerful freekicks are legendary, scored from the penalty spot to give England a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Friday.