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SCMP Reporter

This is a long awaited match - Hong Kong will play five-time World Cup winners Brazil in tomorrow's Carlsberg Cup at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The star-studded Brazil will be fielding reigning World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho Gaucho and Roberto Carlos, while veteran defender Cafu and Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto are also expected to play.

Brazil is currently at the top of the FIFA world ranking, while Hong Kong sits at the 134th spot. Although it seems to be a wild wish for the home side to win, we should support our players and hope for their best performance. Tickets at $800, $1,200 and $1,500 can be purchased at Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow.

Name: Fan Chun-yip

Age: 28

Club/Position: Happy Valley/goalkeeper

The goalkeeper became  one of the most popular players after his outstanding performance during the high-profile exhibition match in 2003 against Real Madrid, who won 4-2. He was named  Footballer of the Year, as well as the fans' most popular player last summer.

Name: Lee Wai-man

Age: 31

Club/Position: Happy Valley/defender

The national skipper is a versatile player, who normally plays sweeper but can fill a number of positions. One of the longest serving member of the squad, Lee helps to boost  the confidence of younger players on the field.

Name: Cheung Sai-ho

Age: 29

Club/Position: Happy Valley/midfielder

Cheung is a gifted player but his performance fluctuates with his mood. He is a player, by Hong Kong standards, with tremendous vision and creativity in the midfield and always a potential match winner. He may not be in  peak form due to a series of injuries in the last two seasons.

Name: Au Wai-lun

Age: 33

Club/Position: South China/forward

Au is the most experienced player in the squad and has been one of Hong Kong's  top strikers for the past 10 years. He resumed the national duty five months ago in the World Cup qualifiers after his vow to retire and give his place to  youngsters.

Name: Ng Wai-chiu

Age: 23

Club/Position: Shanghai Zhongbang/defender

Ng is the first Hong Kong player to play in the Chinese Football Association Super League, after having played in the mainland's lower divisions for three seasons. He has improved in leaps and bounds since moving across the boarder. Standing at 1.8 metres, Ng has become a regular on the national coach's list.

Name: Ronaldinho Gaucho

Age: 24

Club/Position: Barcelona/forward

Ronaldinho was one of Brazil's stars during their 2002 World Cup win, and is remembered for his freak goal scored against England in the quarter-final. The dazzling dribbler signed for Barcelona last summer, and was instant success. He won the FIFA 2004 World Player of the Year award last December.

Name: Cafu

Age: 34

Club/Position: AC Milan/full back

It was during the 1998 World Cup that Cafu stamped his status as one of the world's most talented right backs, and he was team captain when Brazil won the World Cup in Japan three years ago. He has amassed more than  100 international caps and is the first player to ever appear in the title match at three World Cup finals.

Name: Roberto Carlos

Age: 31

Club/Position: Real Madrid/full back

He may only be 1.68 metres tall, but he is recognised as one of the best left backs in the world.  Lightning quick and a real threat in attack, Carlos has one of the most powerful shots in football. When he gets it right the results are spectacular.

Name: Julio Cesar

Age: 25

Club/Position: Flamengo/goalkeeper

Renowned for his boisterous personality and his ability to 'fly like a bird', Julio Cesar has been a regular on the national team since last summer when his outstanding performance at the Copa America (South American Nations Cup) helped Brazil to the title. He was the hero after saving a penalty in the shoot-out with Argentina.

Name: Ze Roberto

Age: 30

Club/position: Bayern Munich/midfielder

Ze Roberto is one of the game's finest exponents of close control, stroking the ball sweetly with his left foot: a stepover here, a back-heel there, and suddenly the opposing full-back lunges at fresh air, the ball and Ze both long gone. The former Leverkusen star is consistently one of the Bundesliga's top providers - laying on 11 Bayern goals last season.



Hong Kong VS Brazil