Diego Alves: Falcao is the best striker around

Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves has highlighted the threat of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao ahead of his country's friendly clash with Colombia.

Falcao, 26, has been in irresistible form for Atletico this season, netting 13 goals in 11 games to help the Colchoneros to within three points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

The former Porto star has also sparkled for Colombia, scoring six goals in his past eight matches, and although he managed to thwart Falcao in Valencia's recent 2-0 victory over Atletico, Alves knows he will need to be at his best when Brazil meet Los Cafeteros in New Jersey on Wednesday.

"To me, Falcao is the best striker around at the moment. We must take special care of him because he defines matches," Alves told Globoesporte.

Brazil head into the match against Colombia in confident mood having scored ten goals without reply in their past two matches, as preparations continue for their home World Cup in 2014.

In the Selecao's last outing - a 4-0 victory over Japan - playmaker Kaka celebrated the end of his two-year international exile with a goal, and is looking to offer even more in Wednesday's game in the United States.

"I felt great in the last two games but I am yet to feel settled. I played those games very actively, scored, assisted, but I still need more," Kaka said.

"We feel the lack of tough competition, the nerves of being close or far from making it. However, I don't think the fact of not playing the qualifiers will prevent us winning the World Cup. France [in 1998] is the example of that."

Meanwhile, Colombia are hoping to build on a decent start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, which has left Jose Pekerman's side lying third behind Argentina and Ecuador, with a game in hand on their rivals.

And defender Luis Perea is determined to help his team maintain their momentum against the five-time World Cup winners.

"We are doing our best to keep this moment up and give our fans something to cheer, hopefully reaching the World Cup," Perea told Caracol TV.

"We are worthy of a game against these opponents. Colombia must take profit from these type of games to keep improving."

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Source: ESPN