Brazil name strong Olympic squad for London 2012

Brazil has included forwards Hulk, Neymar and Alexandre Pato in a strong squad for this summer’s Olympic Games.

Santos’ Neymar has nine goals in 18 games for the senior team, while AC Milan’s Pato and Porto’s Hulk have also impressed for the full side, reports the BBC.

Hulk is one of three over-aged players along with defenders Marcelo (Real Madrid) and Thiago Silva (AC Milan).

Coach Mano Menezes has also picked Manchester United defender, Rafael and Tottenham midfielder, Sandro.

Hulk, 25, has scored three goals for the senior side since making his full debut in 2009 and the coach said he hoped the Porto player’s experience would help his side.

“He brings a lot of strength to the team,” said Menezes. “His experience will be important in big matches, as well as his great ability to be decisive.”

Menezes has also selected several promising young stars such as Santos midfielder, Paulo Henrique Ganso, striker, Leandro Damiao and midfielder, Oscar (both Internacional) and Sao Paulo midfielder, Lucas, all of whom have senior caps to their name.

Brazil, who is aiming to win their first Olympic football title, has been drawn in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand.

But before that they will play a warm-up friendly against Stuart Pearce’s Team GB side at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on July 20.

FULL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Santos), Neto (Fiorentina)

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders: Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Ganso (Santos), Oscar (Internacional), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas (Sao Paulo)

Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Hulk (Porto)