|
Cafu itching to return for final
Suspension served, defender expects to return to lineup
Posted: Wednesday July 08, 1998 12:46 PM
| |
Cafu sat out the semifinal because he had received two yellow cards (AP) |
MARSEILLE (Reuters) -- Brazilian right
back Cafu is itching to return for Sunday's World Cup final after sitting
out Tuesday's semifinal because of suspension and being replaced by a
player making his first international appearance.
"It's much easier on the pitch than it is on the sidelines," said Cafu,
whose forays down the right flank were sorely missed by Brazil as it beat
the Netherlands
on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
"Outside you suffer a lot. I can't wait to get back."
Ze Carlos, Cafu's replacement, was making his international debut at the
age of 30 and until little more than a year ago he sold watermelons in a
market to supplement his football income.
It was an extraordinary move by coach Mario Zagallo, who had included Ze
Carlos in the squad for friendlies this year against Germany and Argentina but
only played him in a pre-Cup friendly against Spanish club side Athletic
Bilbao.
There is no doubting the ability of Ze Carlos, who has played superbly
since joining Sao Paulo in July last year from minor provincial team
Matonense.
But the player who postponed his wedding to play in the World Cup was
visibly uneasy in his first outing wearing a shirt that, as the local
saying goes, weighs a lot.
His teammates seemed to sense his nervousness. Several times, they choose
to step on the ball, change direction and pass to someone else rather than
bring him into the game.
Ze Carlos spent much of the match isolated on the right, from where many
of the most dangerous Dutch moves -- but not their goal -- originated.
He grew in stature when Emerson, a defensive right-sided midfielder, was
brought on just before the start of extra-time and gave him some support.
"I'll give him ten out of ten," said Cafu, who himself suffered stinging
criticism before the competition but has turned out to be one of Brazil's
most important players.
"He made his debut in a World Cup semifinal. It's a very difficult game
to come in at but he played through the 120 minutes without any problem."
Until this time last year, Ze Carlos was an unknown player who had spent
his career playing for a number of small provincial clubs, where wages are
so low that many players supplement their incomes elsewhere.
The cheapest player on the side, he was bought by Sao Paulo, one of
Brazil's top players, in July last year for $300,000 and quickly shot to
national prominence.
Cafu, who made his name at Sao Paulo and now plays for AS Roma, will be
playing his second World Cup final if, as seems certain, he returns on
Sunday.
He came on as a substitute in the 17th minute against Italy four years
ago after the regular choice Jorginho limped off injured.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| 
