World Cup ’94 : WORLD CUP USA ’94 / GROUP B PREVIEW : Brazil at a Glance

* COACH: Carlos Alberto Parreira.

* KEY PLAYERS: Romario, Bebeto, Rai.

* STRENGTHS: The finest all-around team in the tournament, with strength in depth at almost every position. Strikers Romario and Bebeto are among the best in the world. Right back Jorginho and his understudy, Cafu, are defenders whose overlapping runs down the wing create numerous chances. The team has abundant skill in all aspects of the game.

* WEAKNESSES: Midfield could be a problem. Playmaker Rai did not do well in his first season in France, possibly because he was played out of position. The defense is solid but can sometimes be caught because of the players’ enthusiasm for joining the attack. Goalkeeping is no more than adequate.

* WORLD CUP HISTORY: Fourteen previous appearances. Record of 44-11-11. Winner in 1958, 1962 and 1970; runner-up 1950; third place in 1938 and 1978; fourth place 1974. The only country to have played in every World Cup.

* LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: Brazil and Germany have played a total of 134 World Cup matches but have never met in the competition.

* OUTLOOK: Brazil is the favorite to win it all and there is no reason to suspect that it will not, despite a 1-1 tie with Canada in Edmonton last week. The first round will provide no obstacle. The only teams that could possibly derail Brazilian hopes for a fourth title are Colombia and Germany.

* PREDICTED FIRST-ROUND FINISH: First.

ROSTER

No. Name Position 1 Claudio Taffarel Goalkeeper 12 Zetti Goalkeeper 22 Gilmar Goalkeeper 2 Jorginho Defender 3 Ricardo Rocha Defender 4 Ricardo Gomes Defender 6 Branco Defender 13 Aldair Defender 14 Cafu Defender 15 Marcio Santos Defender 16 Leonardo Defender 5 Mauro Silva Midfielder 8 Dunga Midfielder 9 Zinho Midfielder 10 Rai Midfielder 17 Mazinho Midfielder 18 Paulo Sergio Midfielder 7 Bebeto Forward 11 Romario Forward 19 Muller Forward 20 Ronaldo Forward 21 Viola Forward