Sunday, Jun 23, 2002
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Football
As the South Americans headed here on Saturday, the jubilation over their epic 2-1 victory against England a day earlier was tempered with concern about how to fill the gap in their suddenly depleted front line. Ronaldinho's expulsion against England means he will miss Brazil's next game against Senegal or Turkey on Wednesday. And the mysterious leg ailment that prompted the early substitution of Ronaldo raised concerns that Brazil might be left with just one R — Rivaldo. The three are the key to Brazil's success at the Cup so far. They have scored 12 of the team's tournament-leading 15 goals and are listed on FIFA's pre-selection of its all-Cup squad, along with teammates Marcos, Roberto Carlos and Cafu. Ronaldinho is the latest hero. Against England, he scored the game-winner on a seeing-eye free kick from 30 yards (meters) out and set up the first goal by Rivaldo on a weaving 40-yard (meter) run that pierced the English defensive shell. But in the 57th minute, he came in studs up on a ball and instead hit defender Danny Mills. Mexican referee Felipe Ramos felt there was malice in the tackle and ejected him. A one-game suspension is automatic, and FIFA even could sideline Ronaldinho for the rest of the Cup if Brazil reaches the final. FIFA said Saturday that it will decide by Sunday whether the suspension will be extended. ``I think Ronaldinho didn't deserve the expulsion,'' said Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. ``The referee saw it in a very severe light.'' Now Scolari must find a replacement for his attacker/playmaker. One option is speedster Edilson, who started in Brazil's opening-round match against Costa Rica when Ronaldinho was benched to avoid picking up a second yellow card. ``He didn't play and we did well,'' recalled Edilson. Brazil beat Costa Rica 5-2, the first time since a 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 final that the team has scored five goals in a World Cup match. Another possible substitute is Juninho, who was benched against England in favor of defensive specialist Kleberson. Although he has started in the No. 2 midfield position, Juninho is more comfortable in Ronaldinho's spot just behind the front line. Scolari also is concerned about Ronaldo, who complained of ``tired muscles'' in his right leg and was replaced by Edilson in the 70th minute. Team doctor Jose Luis Runco said the striker might undergo MRI testing. Ronaldo played down the problem. ``It's nothing to worry about,'' he said. ``Now we have time to recover.'' Just in case, Edilson, stalwart Luizao and ball-handling wizard Denilson are waiting in the wings. The only ``R'' who seems guaranteed for the semifinals is Rivaldo, who has five goals and is tied with Ronaldo and Germany's Miroslav Klose in the race for the Golden Boot. He also is on pace to match Jairzinho's 1970 Cup record of scoring a goal in every match. Rivaldo was named player of the match against England, the third time in five games he was won the distinction. He also was picked as outstanding player in Brazil's opener, a 2-1 win over Turkey, and in the first game of the knockout stage, when Brazil beat Belgium 2-0. — AP
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