Werder fans and journalists can hardly remember a day in which defender Naldo does not come smiling from the training pitch to the changing room. But the Brazilian had a...
Werder fans and journalists can hardly remember a day in which defender Naldo does not come smiling from the training pitch to the changing room. But the Brazilian had a...
Werder fans and journalists can hardly remember a day in which defender Naldo does not come smiling from the training pitch to the changing room. But the Brazilian had a special beam on his face Friday afternoon. The reason was that Carlos Dunga, the coach of the record world champions Brazil, had included the Bremen centre back in the squad for the Seleção’s World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia (11 October 2009) and Venezuela (14 October 2009).
Naldo not surprised
"I am very happy about it. The national team was always very important for me. I have not been in the team for two years now, but it is not a surprise for me since I have been giving good showings. With sights set on the World Cup, I see the nomination as a big chance for me," said Naldo. Back in the Bundesliga, an appearance from Mesut Özil against Mainz remains questionable despite him overcoming knee problems. There was not-so-good news for head coach Thomas Schaaf about Özil as the 20-year-old missed the final training session ahead of the Bundesliga home match against Mainz. "Yesterday I said that it looked good. But today it looks a bit cloudier. Mesut has gotten a little sick, he has an intestinal problem. His missing today has nothing to do with the knee," said the Werder coach Friday afternoon. Schaaf said the fact that Özil missed the final training does not automatically mean that the midfielder will sit out the Mainz match. "We have him on the squad and whether he will play in the game we will see on Saturday," said Schaaf.
The following players are on the squad for the game against Mainz: Wiese, Vander, Boenisch, Pasanen, Naldo, Borowski, Fritz, Rosenberg, Marin, Özil, Hunt, Frings, Pizarro, Niemeyer, Mertesacker, Moreno Martins, Bargfrede
