Kaká

For their final fixture of the year, Brazil take on Oman in Muscat this Tuesday.

Coached by French man Claude Le Roy, Oman are ranked 79th in the world. Brazil are expected to win comfortably but Dunga added a note of caution: "They're a strong team and have experienced athletes who play abroad.

More points for Fluminense but has their run come to late?

Wins for São Paulo and Flamengo left them in 1st and 2nd place respectively with just three games to go in the Campeonato Brasiliero.

53,000 turned up at the estádio Morumbi as São Paulo took on Vitória in on Saturday.

Kaká battles it out

A second-half goal by Nilmar was the difference in a forgettable match between Brazil and England in Qatar on Saturday.

The Villarreal man struck in the first minute of the second period after heading in a lovely floated ball from ex Manchester City player, Elano.

The meeting of one great footballing mind and Dunga

Brazil take on England in Doho, Qatar, for the first of three international friendlies before the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

Dunga's men see the England game as a real test against one of their main contenders in the competition in 2010.

Cris gets a header in

Following injuries to Luisão and Fábio Aurélio, Brazil coach Dunga has called up defender Cris from Lyon for the matches against England on Saturday and Oman three days later.

The 32-year-old has appeared 22 times for his country scoring just once. Cris' last game for Brazil was in in the 1-0 vs Russia in March 2006.

Fábio Aurélio

On Thursday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that Liverpool's Fábio Aurélio has a problem with his left calf muscle  and would not face England in Qatar on November 14th and Oman three days later. The last time the leftback was called up for Brazil was by Carlos Alberto Parreira for the Confederations Cup in 2003.

Milan's Thiago Silva

AC Milan centreback, Thiago Silva, has been brought in to replace Benfica's Luisão, who has just had surgery for appendicitis.

The 25-year-old's last appearance for Brazil was in February this year when he came on as a sub in the friendly against Italy in the Emirate Stadium.

Fred on target for Fluminense against Palmeiras

With just four games remaining in the championship, holders São Paulo went top for the first time this season following their 1-1 draw away to Grêmio on Wednesday and Palmeiras' 1-0 defeat at Fluminense on Sunday.

Almost 67,000 turned up at the Maracanã hoping for a miracle as strugglers Fluminense took on Palmeiras.

Wellington Júnior

While Botafogo's professional side continue to run the risk of relegation to Série B this year, the Rio outfit's junior teams continue to produce potential stars.

A number of Botafogo's youngsters are attracting interest from European teams and may bring in some much-needed revenue for the cash-strapped club.

With the season is moving towards the final stages, I thought it was high time I produced a follow up to last year's ‘Brazil: the talent factory' post. Once again, there has been an abundance of exciting new players that have caught the eye in their first season in Série A.

Of the players I picked out last year; Palmeiras' Keirrison was bought by Barcelona and has been loaned out to Benfica.

Hulk, Michel Bastos, Fábio Aurélio, Carlos Eduardo

Dunga has called up 24 players to face England on November 14th in Doha, Qatar, and Oman three days later in Muscat.

The squad includes Liverpool's Lucas and Fábio Aurélio plus Manchester City's Robinho. Porto frontman, Givanildo Vieira de Souza (Hulk), gets his first call-up.

Rogério Ceni scores then gets sent off against Santos

Three losses in a row has suddenly left Palmeiras' championship chances in grave doubt. The latest defeat came away at strugglers Santo André on Wednesday. The result provided another opportunity for Palmeiras' rivals to make ground on the leaders.

Brazil will get to lock horns with the country ranked 79th in the world when they play Oman in Muscat on 17th November this year.

Three days before, Brazil take on England in Qatar. The squad for both matches will be announced on October 27th. Dunga (photo) is not expected to call up Brazil-based players whose sides are involved in the final stage of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Joint top scorer with 15 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro (national league, which has 8 rounds remaining), 16 goals in the Campeonato Mineiro (local State championship), 4 goals in the Copa do Brasil (Brazilian cup) not a bad tally for Atlético Mineiro's Diego Tardelli. Add to this his recent call up to Brazil and it's not much of a surprise that the player is being linked with a possible move to Manchester City (though who isn't these days?