QPR 'more important than Brazil'

There can be few footballers who would swap playing for their country against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier for the chance to pull on the blue-and-white hoops of Queens Park Rangers.

But Fernando De Ornelas is just such a man.

The 25-year-old striker, who is on a monthly contract at Loftus Road, was called up by Venezuela for their match against Brazil in Sao Luiz tonight - a game which the four-time World Cup winners have to win to guarantee qualifying for next year's finals. If results go against Brazil, they could even fail to qualify for the first time in their history.

De Ornelas, however, has decided to put his club career first - so instead of the chance to make World Cup history he will be training with his team-mates in Acton.

"I know it is a big match for Brazil, but for us our World Cup campaign is over," said De Ornelas.

"People will say I am mad, but the coach rang me and said because Venezuela cannot qualify any more it would be better for me to stay with QPR and help myself win a contract here.

"It is a big match to miss, but I have played against Brazil before, so it is not so bad. We lost 6-0, but I must have done okay because that was the video Ian Holloway saw before asking me to come to England!"

If the Venezuelans beat or draw with their hosts, and Uruguay triumph over Argentina, it would leave Brazil facing a two-legged play-off against Australia.