RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sprang a surprise Tuesday by leaving experienced duo Ronaldinho and Kaka out of his squad for next month's Confederations Cup. Just a month before the five-time world champion kicks off the tournament on home soil against Japan, 2002 World Cup winner Scolari, called back last November for a second spell in charge of the auriverde, also left out Chelsea midfielder Ramires, preferring Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo. Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho had made a return to the squad for the friendly against England in London three months ago but the 32-year-old, now with Atletico Mineiro, was then discarded for March friendlies against Italy and Russia. Instead, "Felipao" brought in Ronaldino's clubmate Bernard, just 20, as Brazil's new "dez" or No. 10. In attack, Scolari has selected two traditional number nines in Fluminense's Fred and Leandro Damiao of Internacional, who will feed off prodigy Neymar with Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk the other attacking option. Brazil, which includes goalkeeper Julio Cesar, just relegated from the English Premier League with Queens Park Rangers, will face Japan, Mexico and Italy in its pool games with world champion Spain heading up the other group. Squad: Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar, Diego Cavalieri, Jefferson; Defenders: Daniel Alves, Marcelo, Felipe Luis, Jean, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dante, Rever; Midfielders: Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo, Fernando, Hernanes, Jadson, Oscar, Lucas, Bernard; Strikers: Neymar, Fred, Hulk, Leandro Damiao. Granada holds Sociedad In Madrid, Real Sociedad's bid to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in a decade suffered a setback when it conceded a late goal and was held to a 2-2 draw at home to Granada in La Liga Monday. Imanol Agirretxe nodded Sociedad ahead in the ninth minute at its Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian but Granada leveled six minutes later when Youssef El Arabi crashed a superb volley past home goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Carlos Vela raced down the left wing and crossed for Agirretxe to chest the ball cleverly into the net to restore Sociedad's lead moments before halftime. However, after Agirretxe and Vela both struck shots against the frame of the goal relegation-threatened Granada mounted a late fight-back and Recio threaded a 93rd-minute shot through a crowded penalty area to snatch a point for the visitors. The result left Sociedad and Valencia, which won 4-0 at Rayo Vallecano Sunday, level on 59 points in fourth and fifth place respectively with three games left. Zaha fires Palace into playoff final Manchester United-bound Wilfried Zaha scored both goals as Crystal Palace beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 Monday to reach the Championship (second tier) playoff final where it will face Watford. The two sides were level 0-0 after Friday's first leg and it took until the 69th minute of the second leg for the visitors to break the deadlock. Watford booked its place in the May 27 final at Wembley Sunday when it beat Leicester City 3-1 on the day for a 3-2 aggregate victory. — Agencies
