Ronaldo heads for the golf course in Paraguay

Brazil striker Ronaldo shrugged off jet lag and searing heat and headed straight for the golf course after the world champions arrived in Paraguay for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

The Brazilian players, most of whom played for their European clubs at the weekend, crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Asuncion at midday on Monday after journeys of around 15 hours, had been advised to spend the afternoon resting.

But coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said that he was not upset that Real Madrid striker had joined AC Milan's Kaka for a 90 minute round on the golf course at the Brazil team hotel on the banks of the Paraguay river.

Ronaldo took up the sport when he was recovering from knee surgery and now lists it as his favourite past-time.

"There was no ban on players getting out of bed," Parreira told reporters.

"The rest was from training. There was a certain amount of freedom."

Brazil are only entitled to their players for Wednesday's match 48 hours ahead of kick-off because the date has been allocated by FIFA for friendlies.

But Parreira said he did not want to dwell on the problem which is shared by his opponents and the other eight South American teams who are in action this weekend.

"We'll get over all this on the pitch," he said. "I'm not going to complain about this problem. If we can impose our rhythm, we'll win the game."

The coach added that he would maintain the much-criticised central defensive partrnership of Roque Junior and Lucio.

Brazil are third in the South American qualifying group with eight points from four games, one behind leaders Paraguay.