With Robinho out of the Brazilian Olympic squad, coach Dunga heads to Beijing counting on the experience of Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva, the only players over 23 years old left on the roster.

“Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva will take care of our problem,” Dunga said, just before the squad left Brazil for a preparation period in Singapore.

Robinho was to be the third overage player in the roster, but Real Madrid decided not to release the striker because of an injury.

“Unfortunately it happened,” Dunga said. “But we will work with what we have, and we still have a strong group of players.”

Dunga replaced Robinho with 21-year-old Cruzeiro midfielder Ramires, leaving Brazil with only three strikers – Rafael Sobis, Jo and Alexandre Pato.

“Ramires can play several positions, he is a versatile player and will help us a lot,” Dunga said.

In addition to Robinho, Dunga will be without Milan midfielder Kaka and Roma defender Juan, also not released by their clubs.

Schalke defender Rafinha and Werder Bremen midfielder Diego – both of whom qualify as under 23 – did not have permission from their German sides, but have left there clubs to join the national team in Paris.

The Olympics is the only significant title the five-time World Cup champion has never won. The Brazilians won the silver medal twice, in 1984 at Los Angeles and 1988 at Seoul, and the bronze in 1996 at Atlanta.

Brazil will play two friendlies before heading to China – against Singapore next Monday in Singapore, and against Vietnam on 1 August in Hanoi.

Brazil is in Group C along with Belgium, China and New Zealand. It will debut on 7 August against Belgium in Shenyang.