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SPANISH LEAGUE: Position in the league: 2 WORLD CUP: Portugal (Group D) SITE LAST UPDATED: 20/04/02 |
Portugal
- Brazil 1:1 by Martin Roberts
LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal held four-times world champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in an evenly balanced friendly between two of the World Cup favourites. Unmarked Inter Milan forward Sergio Conceicao put Portugal ahead on the hour after a through ball from team mate Joao Pinto found him inside the area and he held off a challenge from the Brazilian goalkeeper to chip the ball into the net. Brazilian trainer Luiz Felipe Scolari took off his two star forwards Ronaldo and Rivaldo in the second half, but his side equalised in the 73rd with a penalty converted by Ronaldinho. The referee pointed to the spot after Portuguese defender Rui Jorge brought down substitute Edilson, who had been put through by Paris St Germain forward Ronaldinho. Portugal, shocked 4-1 by Finland in Oporto last month, enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and settled into a passing game interrupted by quick counter-attacks from Brazil, on two of which Ronaldo forced saves from goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira. The injury-plagued Inter Milan forward found himself alone in the box in the 22nd minute after a solo run and Pereira had to deflect Ronaldo's shot with his right foot. Portugal will play co-hosts South Korea, Poland and the United States in group D at the World Cup finals. Four-time winners Brazil take on Turkey, China and Costa Rica in group C.
NARROW MISSES Rivaldo also narrowly missed a chance to grab an early lead for Brazil when Portugal defender Abel Xavier lost possession inside the area and allowed the Barcelona forward to shoot and force a save from Pereira two minutes before the break. Portuguese captain Fernando Couto missed two chances to open the scoring for the home side, the first in the 17th minute when he found a free kick from Luis Figo and forced keeper Marcos to tip his header over the bar. The Lazio defender missed an open goal in the 24th when he ran forward during a goalmouth scramble after a corner taken by Figo, but hit the ball past the right post. Smoke from a firework display had barely cleared when the game started, watched by a festive capacity crowd at the Jose de Alvalade stadium, about a quarter of whom were green and yellow-clad resident Brazilians who vied with local supporters to cheer the loudest. Shortly before kickoff, soccer greats Pele from Brazil and Portugal's Eusebio walked hand-in-hand onto the pitch to greet the fans and start the celebrations as the crowd threw thousands of coloured cards in the air and loud samba music boomed across the stands.
SATISFIED "I would say that I was about 70 percent satisfied with the team today, we still have some work to do, but at this stage I am very happy," Scolari, known to Brazilians as "Felipao" (Big Phil) told a news conference after the game, noting that it was Brazil's first draw in 16 matches. "It was one of the toughest games we have played since the qualifiers, apart from the matches against Argentina and Uruguay." Scolari said he had taken Ronaldo off as he was not yet fully fit, but noted he had what were Brazil's two best chances to score in the first half and hoped he would be on top form in time for the Korea/Japan tournament starting on May 31. "I have to say Ronaldo is not up to speed yet, but on a psychological level he's doing very well. Of course he has to carry on now at Inter Milan, but he can still have a very good World Cup," the trainer said. "I am very satisfied with his recovery. Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira said he was pleased with the draw, which showed that Portugal had not been cowed by a team with an unmatched reputation. "It was made evident today that Portugal are capable of beating any side, as long as they are rigorous, firm, determined and defend the game's principles at the highest level in good time," he said. "It's important not to have complexes and not to be afraid, in order to win. "We (the two teams) looked each other in the eyes, each was somewhat wary of the other, and as we speak the same language after all, it had to end in a draw," he added. "It was a test we both passed well when you consider that neither team was on top form, and one had injury problems." Source: Reuters.com |
