KUALA LUMPUR Brazil's Roberto Carlos would not hesitate to take a dive in the penalty area to save a World Cup match, even if it meant being booked or sent off.

"Imagine, if we are losing 1-0 in the 90th minute and somebody nudges me in the area -- of course I'm going to fall over and get a penalty to level the game," the Real Madrid fullback told reporters.

"It could well be the most important game of my life." Roberto Carlos said he was not worried about a FIFA clampdown on diving and play-acting and said he was prepared to face the consequences, report

He described Brazilian players' ability to win penalties as "cunning" and said it was part of the four-times world champions' game.

"In football, you have to use a bit of cunning.

Brazilian footballers are cunning, this is why we have four stars on the chest," he said, referring to the four stars on the Brazil badge, each representing a world title.