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And the winner is -- Brazilian Corinthians, Vasco vie for title of world's best team
Posted: Thursday January 13, 2000 05:31 PM
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Manchester United is out and so is Real Madrid. The final of the first FIFA Club World Championship is an all-Brazilian affair, with Corinthians and Vasco da Gama vying for the title of the world's best team. It's a dream final for Brazilians, who will see a pair of three-time national champions battle at Maracana stadium, the world's largest. In cafes and on street corners across the city, fans debate the tactics, weigh the strengths and argue the merits of the stars that will play: Romario, Edmundo, Juninho, Edilson, Freddy Rincon, Vampeta, Dida and more. "We have all dreamed of this conquest," promised Vasco's Edmundo, listed as questionable because of leg muscle pain. "I wouldn't miss this game for anything in the world," he said, "not even if they rip all the muscles out of my body." Vasco also has bolstered its roster for the tournament with a handful of top-level stars. Chief among them is 1994 World Cup MVP Romario, who has scored three goals and has teamed up splendidly with Edmundo. Corinthians counters with a tightly meshed team that has Brazil's last two first-division championships. The midfield is the heart of the team, with all-stars Vampeta and Colombian Freddy Rincon backing up Marcelinho and Ricardinho. Edilson and Luizao are the forwards. Vasco is missing injured defenders Jorginho and Junior Baiano, who have been replaced by Paulo Miranda and Odvan. Corinthians likely will be without star defender Joao Carlos, who will give his spot to young Fabio Luciano. "We'll have to be careful, because in this kind of game you pay dearly for a mistake," said Rincon, a veteran of three World Cups. "We must win, because then we will be part of the great history of the club. The years will pass and no one will forget us."
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