Brazil drops Kaka, adds Firmino for World Cup qualifying

Posted March 06, 2016 6:00 am

Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazil coach Dunga dropped veteran midfielder Kaka and added Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino for World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Paraguay.

According to the Brazilian football confederation, Orlando City's Kaka suffered a thigh injury during a training session in the United States.

The match against Uruguay on March 26 will be played in Recife, which is near the epicenter of the Zika epidemic. Almost 45,000 tickets have already been sold.

Brazil then plays at Paraguay on March 29 in Asuncion.

Firmino scored Sunday in Liverpool's 2-1 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

"This is my best moment at the club," Firmino said.

After four games, Brazil is in third place in the 10-team South American group with seven points.

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2015, file photo, Brazil's Kaka waves to supporters during a training session in Fortaleza, Brazil. Kaka said on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, that it was important for the Brazilian national team to start winning championships again. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File) The Associated Press

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