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Corinthians crowned Vasco falls on penalty kicks; Necaxa takes third over Real
Posted: Sunday July 09, 2000 12:05 PM
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNNSI.com) -- For the first time ever, a club can officially stake a claim to the title of "world's best," and that club is Brazil's Corinthians. Corinthians emerged victorious against fellow Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in the first-ever FIFA Club World Championship, after a tense penalty shootout late Friday. The two teams played to a 0-0 tie, and neither team could snap the scoreless draw in sudden-death overtime. The shootout was a nail-biting conclusion to a match that saw the two closely matched Brazilian clubs square off on home turf. But Corinthians eventually took the title, taking the shootout 4-3 when star forward Edmundo put Vasco's final shot wide. Vasco had the better of possession throughout the first half, but found it impossible to penetrate Corinthians' tight defense. Despite creating a number of solid chances, Vasco just couldn't break through. In the 20th minute, Edmundo fired a shot too high, and five minutes later Romario set up Ramon with a brilliant back pass, but the shot again flew over the bar. In the 36th minute, Ramon blasted the ball in but was declared offside. A minute later, an impressive save by Vasco keeper Helton avoided what looked like a sure goal by Marcelinho. In the second half, Corinthians took more control of the attack. In the 50th minute, Edilson broke through Vasco's backline only to shoot the ball just right of the goal. In the 70th minute, Marcelinho nearly tallied for Corinthians with a corner kick that was headed toward goal, but again goalie Helton came through. In a last-ditch effort in the 89th minute, a wild kick by Raul from the midfield went just wide left. Finally, the two sides proved too evenly matched, and the game went into sudden-death overtime. Vasco looked to have a chance after Luizao fouled Viola just outside the penalty box, but the free kick by Alex Oliveira went over the bar in the 103rd minute. Fatigue began to show for both sidse, and the game went to a penalty shootout. Rincon shot first for Corinthians and scored, as did Romario who led for Vasco. Fernando Baiano tallied next for Corinthians, and Alex Oliveira for Vasco. Luizao converted for Corinthians, but Dida saved Gilberto's kick, putting Vasco behind. Edu scored for Corinthians and Viola scored for Vasco. When it looked like Corinthians had won, Vasco goalie Helton saved a kick by Marcelinho. Vasco needed a goal from Edmundo to stay alive, but he shot wide, giving the game and the final to Corinthians. The tempestuous Edmundo was apologetic after his miss. "I'm very sorry," he said. Earlier Friday, the contest for third place in the tournament was also settled in penalties, when Mexico's Necaxa beat Spain's Real Madrid in a shootout after a 1-1 tie. The Mexican team, which won the shootout 4-3, had been considered an underdog, but started their strong tournament by surprisingly tying with British powerhouse Manchester United 1-1 in the first round. Lineups in the Corinthians-Vasco game: Corinthians: Dida, Indio, Adilson, Vampeta (Gilmar-91), Kleber, Marcelinho, Freddy Rincon, Luizao, Edilson, Ricardinho (Edu-46) and Fabio Luciano. Vasco da Gama: Helton, Odvan, Mauro Galvao, Amaral, Felipe (Alex Oliveira-101), Juninho (Viola-95), Ramon (Donizete-110), Edmundo, Romario, Gilberto and Paulo Miranda.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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