Stars out but Romario set to face Caroliners

WORLD Cup hero Romario looks to be the only drawcard for tonight's game between Flamengo and Hong Kong side South China in Guangzhou as fellow Brazilian internationals give the exhibition a miss.

Absent from tonight's Flamengo squad are Brazilian strikers Edmundo and Savio and sweeper Branco, who have pledged their allegiance to the Brazilian national squad, who are currently on an Asian tour. Brazil thrashed the Japanese national squad 5-1 in Tokyo on Wednesday night and the world champions travel to South Korea tomorrow where they play another friendly.

Tickets for tonight's match at the 60,000-capacity Tian He Stadium have not exactly been selling like hot cakes as news filters out that Flamengo are going to field a much weaker side than the one which toured Japan and Beijing recently.

Flamengo have amassed a 2-2 record - two wins and two defeats - since they started touring the Far East last week. They beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1 and Shimizu S-Pulse 5-0, but were beaten by fellow J.Leaguers Kashima Reysol 3-2 and then Beijing Guoan 3-2 on Tuesday.

Ironically, Edmundo and Savio - who accused Romario of kicking him in Flamengo's 3-2 defeat to Kashiwa Reysol last week - both scored against Japan.