Brazil and Australia meet in double-header to start rebuilds

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil and hosts Australia will use their friendly double-header as the first stage of a rebuilding process following the World Cup. Brazil take on the Socceroos in Townsville on Friday before a second clash in Brisbane next Tuesday. It will be both countries' first outings since their World Cup campaigns ended in July. The Socceroos bowed out in the round of 32 while five-time champions Brazil suffered a shock loss to Norway in the last 16. Brazil coach Ancelotti has responded by selecting only nine players from their World Cup squad for the two Australian matches and a friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3. Chelsea forwards Joao Pedro and Estevao were recalled, while Ancelotti has included several new faces, among them goalkeepers Pedro Morisco and Otavio, defender Mauro Junior, and midfielders Breno Bidon and Gabriel Bontempo. Several of Brazil's established stars will be in action, including forwards Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and central defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos. Guimaraes said this week that it was important that new faces had been included.