FIFA U-20 World Cup Qualifiers: Brazilian Home-Based Stars Samba in Venezuela

How sweet it was to watch Brazil last night as they opened their final round of matches with a fine 3-2 victory over tournament sensation Uruguay.

It must also be noted that it was equally sensational to see a rejuvenated and competitive Uruguay back to top international standard.

However, a mixture of nostalgia and excitement grabbed hold of the country as Brazil fielded its first all local based player squad for many moons.

How sweet it has been over these past days to see a new generation of Brazilian players who all play for Brazilian clubs run riot on the rest of South America with their foreign based players.

Even the lowly Peru, who have already been eliminated from the tournament without even managing a point, had European based players in their squad.

With Europe's need to import talent has come an era where players are sold at younger and younger ages in a bid to maximize time on investment.

As a result, even at this young age group, the national squads at this South American FIFA World Cup qualifier tournament, all featured players from foreign clubs such as PSV, Liverpool, and Milan.

However, thanks to the popularity of the sport in Brazil, diversity in footballing disciplines and excellent training facilities, Brazil has always been up to the challenge and their new generation of players is the proof:

Douglas Costa (Grêmio) – 18 years old

Considered by many one of the biggest stars on the squad. The left-sided attacking midfielder is considered a phenomenon in Brazil, even during his early years in the Grêmio youth team.

As is a pre-requisite for all Brazilian wingers, Costa is an expert dribbler and a free-kick specialist, but he also has exceptional technique for such a young player.

Realising they have yet another jewel in their ranks, Grêmio offered him an improved contract in September, one that would tie him down to the Porto Alegre club until 2013 with an estimated $33 million (€25 million) buy-out clause attached.

Costa is expected to be one of the shining stars in this tournament but for his employers, they know all to well that if he blitzes his competition, the likes of European behemoths, Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid will come knocking even louder.

Welinton Souza (Flamengo) – 19 years old

The defender was one of the key players in Flamengo’s youth team’s triumph in the Belo Horizonte Cup and the Champions Youth Cup in Malaysia, both in 2007.

In 2008, despite missing out on the São Paulo Cup due to injury, Welinton still made the Brazil Sub-20 team to compete in the International Mediterranean Championships and the L’Aldúcia Tournament in Spain. 

Maylson (Grêmio) – 19 years old

The versatile midfielder was one of the stand-out players for Grêmio’s youth side in the U-20 Brazilian Championship in 2006.

He is already considered one of the rising stars at the club after he was promoted to the senior squad in 2007. He was given his first team opportunity in November against São Paulo after numerous key players fell injured and although he played only three games in total, he has had a significant impact on the team.

German company, Rogon Sportmanagement, offered Grêmio €3.3 million to purchase the player’s rights but saw their bid rejected.  

Dentinho (Corinthians) – 19 years old

A very pacey, opportunistic target striker with great technique, Dentinho was one of the revelations in Brazil’s Serie B in 2008 with Corinthians. He has already attracted the interest of Real Madrid and he will be one of the more experienced players for the Seleção in this tournament.

Along with Douglas Costa, they are expected to be the two most closely watched stars of the competition.

Tales (Internacional) - 19 years old

From the same generation as Alexandre Pato, Tales was one of the more pivotal figures in Internacional’s youth team. Usually a live-wire in the middle of the park, he is everything a midfielder should be with great vision, excellent passing of the ball and a skillful, killer right foot.

Marquinhos (Palmeiras) - 19 years old

His big two weapons are his speed and his audacious dribbling skills. He was one of the revelations of last year’s Brazilian Championship, making 31 appearances for his former club, Victória despite being only 18 years of age at the time.

His impressive performances earned him a transfer to Palmeiras and his ability to play either as a winger or a second striker has earned him the nickname, ‘The New Denilson’.

Walter (Internacional) - 19 years old

A natural born goalscorer, Walter is a typical 'No. 9’ who is very powerful and very effective. Like all target strikers, he may not be the most skillful or agile but he has that killer instinct inside the area and he is comfortable playing with both feet.

His two goals versus Uruguay had a pinch of "a la Romario" to them. Let's see how this lad develops.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Renan (Atlético Mineiro), Rafael (Cruzeiro)

Defenders: Dalton (Fluminense), Welinton Souza (Flamengo), Rafael Toloi (Goiás), Leandro (Coritiba), Douglas (Goiás), Patric (Criciúma), Everton (São Caetano), Diogo (São Paulo).

Midfielders: Sandro (Internacional), Zé Eduardo (Cruzeiro), Maylson (Grêmio), Giuliano (Paraná), Douglas Costa (Grêmio), Tales (Internacional)

Forwards: Renan Oliveira (Atlético Mineiro), Walter (Internacional), Marquinhos (Palmeiras), Dentinho (Corinthians)

Source - Goal.com

Hopefully Brazilian national coach Dunga also has his eyes open and sees that he does not have to always depend on the sometimes lazy millionaire players based in Europe. There is lots of hungry, eager talent just waiting for a chance to run riot on the international stage.