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Johannesburg - Carlos Alberto Parreira has saluted the players on the fringes of the Bafana Bafana squad and those that have missed out altogether.
The Brazilian named his provisional line-up for the World Cup on Friday and has admitted it was incredibly difficult to omit footballers who are so keen on representing their country.
Parreira faces yet another "trimming the fat" exercise ahead of the global showpiece, with six players set to get the boot from the 29-man camp on June 1.
"Trimming down the squad is not the ideal situation but it's something that has to be done," he said.
"And before I even reach that point, I want to express my gratitude to those players who will not make the final list."
The likes of Daine Klate, Elrio van Heerden, Richard Henyekane and Kermit Erasmus were not included in Parreira's latest training squad and the coach does not want them to be despondent.
He added: "They were with us in Brazil and Germany and it was two months of dedication, commitment and discipline. We have no words to thank them for their efforts and this is from me and the entire staff.
"We can't take any number we want and we have to make decisions which are always difficult. It doesn't mean the players that will be left out are not good enough, but me and my technical team took a long time discussing this list carefully.
"Of course we can't please everybody with the list that we will be announced, but we did it with a lot of judgment and balance. So my greatest gratitude to the players who will not make it for the attitude and respect they showed. I wish to see and welcome them in Brazil in 2014," he concluded.
The Brazilian named his provisional line-up for the World Cup on Friday and has admitted it was incredibly difficult to omit footballers who are so keen on representing their country.
Parreira faces yet another "trimming the fat" exercise ahead of the global showpiece, with six players set to get the boot from the 29-man camp on June 1.
"Trimming down the squad is not the ideal situation but it's something that has to be done," he said.
"And before I even reach that point, I want to express my gratitude to those players who will not make the final list."
The likes of Daine Klate, Elrio van Heerden, Richard Henyekane and Kermit Erasmus were not included in Parreira's latest training squad and the coach does not want them to be despondent.
He added: "They were with us in Brazil and Germany and it was two months of dedication, commitment and discipline. We have no words to thank them for their efforts and this is from me and the entire staff.
"We can't take any number we want and we have to make decisions which are always difficult. It doesn't mean the players that will be left out are not good enough, but me and my technical team took a long time discussing this list carefully.
"Of course we can't please everybody with the list that we will be announced, but we did it with a lot of judgment and balance. So my greatest gratitude to the players who will not make it for the attitude and respect they showed. I wish to see and welcome them in Brazil in 2014," he concluded.
