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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The tearful eyes of dejected striker Romario apparently failed to move Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Tuesday as he once again left the 1994 World Cup hero out of his squad.

Romario, who wept in front of the media last week and said that it was his dream to play in Japan and South Korea, was omitted from next week's friendly away to Portugal, just as he has been for every Brazil game since last July.

Brazilians wondered whether last week's sensational media conference, in which the normally provocative Romario gave an unprecendented show of humility, might have softened the heart of the man known as Big Phil.

But Scolari, whose refusal to pick Romario has flown in the face of public opinion, made only a quick reference to last week's dramatic appeal and then refused to take any further questions, saying he would talk only about the 22 players he had picked.

"Once again he (Romario) showed his great desire to play for Brazil at the World Cup," said Scolari.

"But it's not just Romario who wants to play, it's a wish which is shared by every other player who has not been picked. I understand perfectly."

"I want to say to the Brazilian public that here is a coach with his line of reasoning, with his own way of thinking, and I will do what I think is best for Brazil."

Tuesday's twist was the latest episode in a long-running saga worthy of the most outrageous Brazilian soap opera.

Romario, who was top scorer in last year's Brazilian championship and has averaged a goal a game this year in club soccer, is still rated one of the country's top strikers despite passing his 36th birthday in July.

Scorer of five goals as Brazil won its fourth world title in 1994, Romario is desperate for a chance to make up for the bitter disappointment of four years ago when he was axed on the eve of France 98 due to injury.

Scolari has repeatedly cited "tactical and technical reasons" for leaving out Romario but Brazilians believe Romario may have committed an act of indiscipline last year which upset the coach known for his so-called sergeant-major approach.

Scolari caused further surprise on Tuesday by picking Gremio striker Luizao, who has been embroiled in a judicial battle with his old club Corinthians which has prevented him from playing more than a few minutes football since January.

"Luizao is match fit and I have full confidence in him," Scolari said. "If I give him an order, he obeys."

Other surprise inclusions were Cruzeiro striker Edilson and Flamengo midfielder Juninho Paulista, both of whom have been off-color for their clubs.

Edilson was booed off the field by the crowd in Fortaleza when he was substituted in last month's 1-0 win over Yugoslavia for repeatedly hogging the ball and breaking up several promising attacks.

Scolari also recalled Vasco da Gama winger Euller, known as the son of the wind, and Fluminense fullback Paulo Cesar, who scored a stunning goal against Flamengo on Sunday.

Brazil has only one other full international before the World Cup, away to Malaysia on May 25.

Source (Reuters)

Domestic-based players

Goalkeeper

Marcos (Palmeiras)

Rogério Ceni (São Paulo)

Defenders

Paulo César (Fluminense)

Ânderson Polga (Grêmio)

Midfield

Gilberto Silva (Atlético-MG)

Kléberson (Atlético-PR)

Juninho (Flamengo)

Forwards

Edílson (Cruzeiro)

Euller (Vasco)

Luizão (Grêmio)

Foreign-based players

Defenders

Cafu (Roma)

Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)

Júnior (Parma)

Roque Júnior (Milan)

Lúcio (Bayern Leverkusen)

Edmílson (Lyon)

Midfield

Emerson (Roma)

Rivaldo (Barcelona)

Djalminha (Deportivo da Coruña)

Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards

Ronaldo (Internazionale)

Denílson (Bétis)