Woody_007
18-08-2000, 10:36:PM
Punchless Brazil recalls Romario
Soccer power hopes veteran striker will cure scoring woes
REUTERS
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18 — Brazil, still in shock after Tuesday’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Chile, recalled veteran striker Romario for its next match in an attempt to end their chronic goalscoring.
BUT ROMARIO’S DREAM of leading Brazil to its first Olympic gold medal in soccer was shattered when Wanderley Luxemburgo, coach of both the senior and Olympic teams, said he had decided against taking any over-age players to Sydney.
Brazil have managed only nine goals in their seven World Cup qualifiers, and none of the 12 strikers fielded by Luxemburgo has managed to hit the target.
“He (Romario) is a player who puts the ball in the net. We understand Romario will be the solution for this problem,” said Luxemburgo.
The beleagured Luxemburgo also dropped off-form goalkeeper Dida from the squad to face Bolivia at the start of September and recalled former Middlesbrough and Atletico Madrid midfielder Juninho Paulista.
There was confusion when goalkeeper Andre was included in the list, even though it had been announced by his club Cruzeiro on Thursday that the player would be out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said it had been officially informed only on Friday morning.
Confusion also surrounded the surprising omission of left-back Roberto Carlos.
Initially, Luxemburgo said Roberto Carlos had picked up a second yellow card in Santiago and was therefore suspended. But a CBF official said later it was not clear who had received the card during a scuffle near the end of the game and that he was still awaiting confirmation from FIFA.
Romario has not played a full international since April 1998. He has been picked only once in Luxemburgo’s reign — for a tour to Wales and England in May — but then had to pull out through injury.
Five years ago Luxemburgo was forced out of Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo when his attempt’s to discipline Romario for missing training were not backed by the board.
Brazil desperately need a win against Bolivia. They are fourth in the South American World Cup group from which only the top four go to South Korean and Japan.
The fifth-placed side will be forced into a playoff against the Oceania region winners.
“I have full confidence that we will qualify for the World Cup,” said Luxemburgo, making it clear he was not happy with the attitude of his players.
“I am assuming my share of the responsibility but the players have responsibility as well. They have to make their contribution.”
He said he did not fear losing his job.
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FINALLY!!! ROMARIO IS BACK!! AND SO IS JUNINHO!!! ALRIGHT!!! Hopefully Luxemburgo will abandon his suffocation tactics and let Brasil play like Brasil!!
Soccer power hopes veteran striker will cure scoring woes
REUTERS
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18 — Brazil, still in shock after Tuesday’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Chile, recalled veteran striker Romario for its next match in an attempt to end their chronic goalscoring.
BUT ROMARIO’S DREAM of leading Brazil to its first Olympic gold medal in soccer was shattered when Wanderley Luxemburgo, coach of both the senior and Olympic teams, said he had decided against taking any over-age players to Sydney.
Brazil have managed only nine goals in their seven World Cup qualifiers, and none of the 12 strikers fielded by Luxemburgo has managed to hit the target.
“He (Romario) is a player who puts the ball in the net. We understand Romario will be the solution for this problem,” said Luxemburgo.
The beleagured Luxemburgo also dropped off-form goalkeeper Dida from the squad to face Bolivia at the start of September and recalled former Middlesbrough and Atletico Madrid midfielder Juninho Paulista.
There was confusion when goalkeeper Andre was included in the list, even though it had been announced by his club Cruzeiro on Thursday that the player would be out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said it had been officially informed only on Friday morning.
Confusion also surrounded the surprising omission of left-back Roberto Carlos.
Initially, Luxemburgo said Roberto Carlos had picked up a second yellow card in Santiago and was therefore suspended. But a CBF official said later it was not clear who had received the card during a scuffle near the end of the game and that he was still awaiting confirmation from FIFA.
Romario has not played a full international since April 1998. He has been picked only once in Luxemburgo’s reign — for a tour to Wales and England in May — but then had to pull out through injury.
Five years ago Luxemburgo was forced out of Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo when his attempt’s to discipline Romario for missing training were not backed by the board.
Brazil desperately need a win against Bolivia. They are fourth in the South American World Cup group from which only the top four go to South Korean and Japan.
The fifth-placed side will be forced into a playoff against the Oceania region winners.
“I have full confidence that we will qualify for the World Cup,” said Luxemburgo, making it clear he was not happy with the attitude of his players.
“I am assuming my share of the responsibility but the players have responsibility as well. They have to make their contribution.”
He said he did not fear losing his job.
----------------
FINALLY!!! ROMARIO IS BACK!! AND SO IS JUNINHO!!! ALRIGHT!!! Hopefully Luxemburgo will abandon his suffocation tactics and let Brasil play like Brasil!!