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A bully no more Brazil wakes up to harsh new reality after qualifying loss
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -- Brazilians awoke on Thursday wondering whether it had all been a bad dream. They quickly realized that Wednesday's 1-0 World Cup qualifier defeat to Ecuador was simply part of a harsh new reality. In the golden days of Garrincha, Pele and Zico, Brazil used to brush aside the lesser South American teams, using matches against Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay to show off their skills. Wednesday's events at Quito's Atahualpa stadium provided the final proof that those days are over as Ecuador, whose past results against Brazil included 9-1, 9-2 and 7-1 defeats, beat the four-time world champion for the first time in 22 attempts. Far from fearing Brazil, Ecuador had boldly predicted victory from the outset with their Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez claiming: "Wednesday will be a different day for Ecuador." Brazil had only lost one World Cup qualifier before the current competition began a year ago. Now they have lost three times in 11 outings after earlier defeats away to Paraguay and Chile. "I preferred the old days," said television commentator Galvao Bueno, whose career behind the microphone began when Brazil were still feared and respected. "I have to say this is hard to stomach," he said as Ecuador passed the ball around to chants of "Ole" from an ecstatic 40,000 crowd. "Brazil lost, which is becoming the norm. No surprise," said Juca Kfouri, an outspoken columnist in the sports daily Lance. Venezuela leftThe newspaper's headline, "Just Venezuela left," referred to the fact that the baseball-playing nation is the only one in South America against which the Brazilians can still boast an unbeaten record. Brazilians blame the demise on a variety of reasons; deep-rooted mismanagement of the sport, money, alleged greed and lack of effort on the part of the players, the exodus of leading players abroad, lack of time for training and a negative approach by domestic coaches. Coach Emerson Leao admitted he was disappointed with his players. "Some didn't produce everything they are capable of," he said. "Some didn't produce 50 percent of what they are capable of." His comments appeared to be aimed at Rivaldo, substituted after 63 minutes of a performance which earned him three out of 10 in Lance's analysis. Brazilians now cling to the possibility that injury-stricken striker Ronaldo will return to action this year as if it were the only hope of a return to greatness. Ronaldo return On Wednesday, Ronaldo took part in a charity kick about at the Maracana stadium. No tackling was allowed and the opposition consisted of veteran players and television celebrities. But the fact that Ronaldo scored five goals in a 10-9 win was seen as a ray of hope. On the other side of the Amazon jungle, the outcome was greeted with unbridled joy. Thousands took to the streets of Quito and Guayaquil to celebrate the finest moment in Ecuador's sporting history. Celebrations were fueled by the prospect that Ecuador could now qualify for their first World Cup. President Gustavo Noboa sent his congratulations and coach Gomez described the moment as the high point of his football career. The country came to a standstill during the game and the Guayaquil daily El Universo published a picture of a deserted Congress on its Web site. "The honorable members went to watch the game," it said. Brazil drops to thirdThe loss dropped Brazil into third place in the South American playoffs for the 2002 World Cup, behind Argentina and Paraguay. Brazil has 20 points, three behind Paraguay, and is hearing footsteps from Ecuador, with 19, and Colombia, with 18. Brazil's long slide began after it won the Copa America in 1999. The team played erratically in the World Cup qualifiers, and when Brazil was eliminated from the Sydney Olympics by eventual gold medalist Cameroon, coach Wanderley Luxemburgo was fired. But new coach Emerson Leao hasn't done much better. Despite a lineup heavy with international stars, the team looks confused and uninspired on the field. Rivaldo, FIFA's Player of the Year in 1999, is a shadow of the striker who shines on Spain's Barcelona. The team's go-to guy is still Romario, a World Cup champion in 1994 but, at 35, slower, less mobile -- and questionable for 2002. "The World Cup qualifiers are like that," Romario said. "If you don't give your all, you won't win. And we didn't give our all." While Brazil has never failed to play in the World Cup and still is expected qualify, the team's poor play on Wednesday is a source of embarrassment and concern. "It's an alarming defeat. Everybody is losing their fear of Brazil," former national team coach Tele Santana told the Rio daily O Globo. "We don't know what happened," said AC Milan defender Roque Junior. "Ecuador was better prepared." The thin air in Quito, atop the Andes at 9,400 feet (2,850 meters), was no excuse, said goalie Rogerio Ceni, adding that the team was "in mourning." "We lost because we didn't play well," said midfielder Juninho Paulista. "If fans are sad or ashamed because of this, the players are even more." Sporting newspapers on Thursday summed up the nation's sentiment. "Historic Humiliation," "Brazil Dances the Bolero" and "What A Disaster!" read some of the headlines. In the 12th round of South American qualifying on April 25, Brazil faces modest Peru at home in Rio de Janeiro.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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