BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany, June 24 - Brazil's Roberto Carlos said on Saturday he was not worried about the prospect of sitting on the bench, saying it was the coach's decision.

The 33-year-old left back sat out Thursday's 4-1 win over Japan and saw his replacement Gilberto have an excellent game, which included scoring the third goal.

Gilberto appeared to have done enough to have won a place in the team at the expense of the Real Madrid player, whose performances against Croatia and Australia were uninspiring.

"I've got long history of playing for Brazil and I'm not going to start worrying at this stage about whether I'm going to play or not," he told reporters.

"I'm well, I'm really happy, and I'm happy for Gilberto, not just for the goal but for the opportunity he had. He did his job really well."

"It's what matters least," he added. "I'm part of a group of 23 players and it's the coach who decides who plays and who doesn't. I sat there nice and relaxed on the bench."

Roberto Carlos remembered that he also sat out Brazil's final group stage game at the 2002 World Cup, when they took on Costa Rica and won 5-2 having already made sure of a second round place.

He returned and was ever-present in the knockout stages as Brazil went on to win the title. He has been a regular in the national side for over a decade.

"The same thing has happened to me before, in 2002," he said. "I respect the opinions of the coach."

Roberto Carlos went into the World Cup after a poor season with Real Madrid and amid speculation that he could leave the Spanish club before the start of next season.