RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho was the surprise pick in a provisional Brazil squad for its final friendly next month before the World Cup squad is announced. cheap nfl jerseys . Neymar, Oscar, Ramires, Willian, David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Hulk made the list of foreign-based players as expected, but former stars Kaka and Robinho were left out by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Kaka hasnt played for Brazil since March, but AC Milan teammate Robinho made the team in November. Scolari also said that, closer to the match, he would add a further three or four players to the squad from Brazilian clubs. Bayern Munichs Rafinha also came as a surprise selection for the game against South Africa on March 5 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. "Fernandinho has been playing pretty well in Manchester and has been catching my attention,"Scolari said. "Its an opportunity for him. And Rafinha has been working pretty well at Bayern Munich. Both players have a history on the national youth teams." Scolari also said he needed to prepare back-up players in case of injuries. "I always have to take a look at other players because, the way tournaments are being played, we can never be sure that the players we imagine will be called up will be in their best condition when the (World Cup) squad is announced." Scolari also said he has been scouting the Netherlands. If Brazil advances from the group stage, it is likely to meet World Cup champion Spain or the Netherlands in the round of 16. "They have the normal characteristics of a Dutch team," he said. "They work the ball very well, have good quality skilled players ... We have been analyzing them, collecting data for a possible game at the second stage." Scolari decided to wait to announce the players from Brazilian clubs because many are not in top form yet. Among the players nursing injuries and trying to get in shape in the beginning of the Brazilian season was striker Fred, who was crucial for Brazil at the Confederations Cup last year. ------ Brazil: Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (QPR) Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich). Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea). Strikers: Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Shaktar Donetsk), Willian (Chelsea), Neymar (Barcelona). cheap jerseys .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres signed forward Nicolas Deslauriers to a two-year contract on Monday. cheap jerseys from china . Barcelona says Pique tore a muscle in his right leg. The Spain international will miss Spanish league games against Almeria and Valladolid, but should be back for the Champions league match against Manchester City on March 12.TORONTO -- Canadas largest private sector union will likely hold a formal meeting early next week as it attempts to begin the process of representing major junior hockey players from around the country. A Unifor spokesperson said internal meetings will be held Wednesday as the union continues to put leadership plans in place for the project. However, there are no firm plans to meet with players at this time. "Once we feel that we have everything in order, then well call that meeting," said Unifor spokesperson Sarah Blackstock. "We dont want to rush into anything and I think the stakes are really high. The need for the union is great and so weve got to move carefully and make sure that we get it right." Reached a short time later, Unifor president Jerry Dias said plans should be finalized in the coming days at a venue yet to be determined. "Were just nailing down the details as to what its going to look like, but my guess is well be ready to go next week," he said. Unifor was created a year ago through the merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions. There was a failed atttempt to unionize junior hockey players in Nova Scotia over a year ago. nfl jerseys china. A would-be union withdrew its certification application with the provincial government in November 2012. Dias has said Unifor was approached by the failed union in June for help. The creation of a board of directors and a legal entity are first on Unifors to-do list. The union would aim to make improvements in several areas for players, including pay, restrictions on university scholarships and health insurance. "Weve always said and we strongly feel more than ever before that we serve the best interest of our players," OHL commissioner and CHL president David Branch told The Canadian Press. "We are always challenging ourselves on how we can better meet their needs, both as developing them as young people and as players, and we dont think a third party could do it better. "So were certainly committed to continue on with our programs as they currently exist." There are 60 teams in the Canadian Hockey League, the umbrella organization for the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. cheap jerseyscheap jerseys from china ' ' '
