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Brazil breathes easy after uneasy win
Posted: Friday July 03, 1998 09:16 PM
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2,000 Brazilian soccer fans gathered on Icarai beach to watch and cheer their team
(AP) |
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) --
Brazilians heaved a sigh of relief Friday after the defending champion
edged Denmark 3-2 and
advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup.
In Niteroi, across the bay from Rio, some 2,000 fans gathered before a
large television screen on Icarai beach.
When Denmark scored the first goal less than two minutes after the
opening kickoff, Brazilians looked on in shock and disbelief.
A somber mood hovered over the crowd until Bebeto's goal in the 11th
minute and then the crowd let loose, celebrating with samba and
fireworks.
"We have the best players in the world, but we have a lousy team,"
said Joao Malta, a stockbroker who left work early to watch the game.
Sloppy play by Brazil kept the fans on edge as Brazil took the lead
only to see Denmark lock it at 2-2.
Even when Brazil scored to lead 3-2, Denmark took advantage of gaping
holes in the Brazilian defense and created chances that left the crowd
uneasy.
"We're going to have to play better than that if we want to win the
Cup," said Selma Viera, who was selling Brazilian flags and plastic noise
makers.
Only when the referee blew the final whistle did the crowd let loose
and begin celebrating in earnest.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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