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France would make Brazil's title defense an interesting one
Posted: Tuesday July 07, 1998 07:58 PM
PARIS (CNN/SI) -- Brazil are
through to a record-equaling sixth World Cup final. They earned their
passage to the title showdown the way they won the trophy four years ago -
in a dreaded penalty shoot-out.
I'm not sure, though, that the Brazilians did dread the spot kick
head-to-head with Holland.
Each penalty taker - Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Emerson and Dunga - found
the net with confident ease. Taffarel was equally, if not more, assured as
he saved kicks from Philip Cocu and Ronald De Boer to send Brazil through
4-2 on penalties.
The Dutch never appeared to have the same steely-eyed determination in the
shoot-out. They looked altogether nervous by comparison.
Maybe the difference is that Brazil have an unswerving belief in
their abilities at all times. It's as if they think: " A shot from 12
yards, one-on-one with the goalkeeper - not a problem." And it wasn't.
Of course, Brazil also had that added edge of having won the World
Cup in similar circumstances at USA 94. There can be no greater pressure
situation in a shoot-out. A semifinal penalty contest - oh that's easy in
the whole scheme of things.
Brazil move on to Sunday's final at the Stade de France, where
they'll face the hosts or Croatia.
I hope the French can do it and make this the first ever World Cup
final between a reigning champion and a host nation.
It only seems fair also that Brazil face another truly formidable
hurdle before laying claim to the World Champions' tag for a record fifth
time, if indeed they win the final.
Holland provided the first really world class opposition at France
98 for Mario Zagallo's team, who have shown flashes of brilliance, moments
of magic - but also veins of vulnerability.
Chile
didn't have the necessary ingredients to explore those vulnerabilities. Denmark did
their best in the quarter finals, but were still lacking a certain steel.
But Holland had it all and could so easily have taken out Brazil.
The champions rose to the occasion and did enough to make it to the
final once again. If Croatia end up being their opponents, though, it could
possible be the most comfortable journey to the title Brazil have ever
experienced. No Argentina, no
Germany, no
Italy in their
path. They have to love that.
A couple of historical notes to bear in mind at this point.
By my calculations, only one team has ever won the World Cup having
lost a first round match. That was West Germany in 1974. They lost to East
Germany in the opening group phase and ended up beating Holland in the
final. Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in the
group phase here in France.
Also, just one country from the Americas has won the World Cup on
European soil (or vice versa come to that). That was Brazil in Sweden in
1958.
Pele scored twice in the final as Brazil beat none other than the
host country 5-2. A certain Mario Zagallo was also on the mark for the
brilliant Brazilians that day.
If France make the final, that'll be an interesting thought for him
to carry into Sunday's title confrontation.
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