'David' Honduras takes on 'Goliath' Brazil

BOGOTA, JULY 21. Somewhere the fates have conspired to be kind to Brazil thus far at the Copa America as the four-time World champion chases a third continental title in a row.

Despite having to weather a storm of criticism from home media upset that the current vintage bears little relation to the Peles and Tostaos of the Samba stars' glorious past the Brazilians have made it to the last eight without too much nailbiting following Thursday's win over Paraguay.

Late goals from Beletti and Denilson patched up the damage inflicted by a defeat to Mexico on day one - but couldn't Defuse criticism from former star Socrates, who blasted poor coaching as the reason behind recent below-par results and demanded an improvement.

Brazil's quarterfinal comprises a veritable David against Goliath match-up against Honduras in the western city of Manizales on Monday.

Volatile coach Scolari was suspended for one game and won't be on the bench when his team faces Honduras. Scolari and his assistant Flavio da Cunha were expelled from Brazil's last game, a 3-1 win over Paraguay.

Scolari allegedly offended Argentine referee Angel Sanchez, who had whistled a questionable penalty against Brazil and didn't call apparent fouls against the Brazilian side.

The coach later told a Brazilian TV network that Brazil had ``played against 12'' and questioned Sanchez's fitness to referee.

Scolari is expected to watch the game from the seats and send instructions by radio to team supervisor Antonio Lopes on the bench.

The Hondurans and fellow quarterfinalists Costa Rica benefited from no-shows by Argentina and Canada after a wave of kidnappings and bombings in Colombia almost forced the event's cancellation.

And both newcomers have seized their opportunities by facing through the opening stage.

Brazil, while not underestimating its minnow foe, could almost be forgiven for privately thinking that another title - it would be its seventh - is as good as in the bag.

The withdrawal of the Argentines, who have dominated South American World Cup qualifying, left the `Auriverde' as overwhelming favourites to claim the trophy and go some way towards making up for their poor World Cup form.

Scolari is hoping inconsisent star Denilson will turn in the kind of match-winning performance against the Hondurans which he displayed against Paraguay, conjuring a 3-1 win after the favourite had been a goal down and heading for the exit door.

With striker Ewerthon likely to be ruled out through injury, Guilherme is likely to partner Denilson as the Brazilians go for the jugular.

Scolari, who replaced Emerson Leao just over a month ago in the Brazil hotseat, is mulling the benefits of a 4-3-2-1 system rather than the 3-5-2 he has largely leaned on to date.

``We're looking at a few things as Honduras is playing very well and it could pose us a a few problmes,'' Scolari said on Friday.

``We must respect it as it has players of international quality, such as Amado Guevara,'' added Scolari, picking out the Honduran skipper, whose three goals including a shock winner against Uruguay have propelled the little Central American state into the second phase.

The suspension of Roque Junior means Roger Machado Marques or Anderson Luizao will come in at the back for the Brazilians.

The Hondurans may be the rank outsiders but what they lack in reputation they more than make up for with spirit. ``Once on the pitch it's 11 against 11 and we will be out there to win, make no mistake,'' said Guevara.

``Now we're gunning for Brazil,'' was the headline in Honduran daily La Tribuna, which added that ``the last guest to arrive is lighting up this festival'' - a reference to the side's late entry into the competition.

Coach Ramon `Primitivo' Maradiaga was full of similar fighting talk. ``This squad is out to give as much satisfaction to the Honduran people as it can. We respect Brazil but we will go all out to make a real match of it,'' insisted Madariaga. ``As soon as we got off the plane we felt we could really achieve something.''

Monday's other game pits host Colombia, which won all three of its opening round matches without conceding a goal, against Peru in the town of Armenia.

Colombia, which so nearly lost the chance to host the event for the first time because of ongoing political unrest, has been going well in the World Cup qualifiers but in Copa terms it boasts just one final appearance - ironically against the Peruvians in 1975.

Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe insists his men can cause a surprise. ``I am convinced we will turn in our best performance of the lot against Colombia,'' he said.

Sunday's encounters pit Chile against Mexico at Pereira and Costa Rica, bolstered by competition top-scorer Paolo Wanchope of Manchester City, against 14-time winner Uruguay at Armenia.

The pair drew 1-1 in group play last week. The Chileans have made the final four times, most recently in 1987, but have never won the event.

The Mexicans came third in both 1997 and 1999, but showed little imagination despite beating Brazil in their first game and coach Javier Aguirre said on Friday his men had been practising penalties - just in case.

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