WORLD CUP ’94 DAILY REPORT : Brazil Wins, but Real Action Comes Later
Bebeto scored on a penalty kick and set up two other goals as Brazil defeated El Salvador, 4-0, Sunday at Fresno in its final exhibition before the World Cup.
Later, Brazilian reporters fought with security guards as post-match interviews degenerated into chaos.
Reporters and stadium security men exchanged punches and kicks while other journalists shouted anti-American abuse at guards in front of the door to the team dressing room.
The journalists had been waiting for players to emerge for the traditional Brazilian-style interviews in which reporters talk to players leaving the locker room.
But security men and police officers called in to guard the dressing room door said they had been given orders not to allow any interviews.
“I was talking to (defender) Branco when a guard grabbed me by the elbow,” said Globo television reporter Tino Marcos.
“I pulled my elbow away. Then he punched me in the stomach. At that point, Branco stopped talking and walked away.
“Suddenly, dozens of my colleagues started kicking the guard from behind. I was touched by their solidarity.”
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In other games:
Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars and Frank Rijkaard scored goals as the Netherlands defeated Canada, 3-0, at Toronto. . . . Cameroon was upset by the L.A. Salsa, 2-1, at Oxnard College. . . . Gheorghe Hagi’s goal on a free kick from 20 yards out with 15 minutes to go gave Romania a 1-1 tie with Sweden at Mission Viejo. . . . Freddy Rincon scored twice and Adolfo Valencia converted a penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half to lead Colombia to a 3-0 victory over the Brazilian team Palmeiras, at Pereira, Colombia.
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Although World Cup ’94 is five days away, tickets are still being sold for games at the Rose Bowl.
About 1,700 were put on sale after the Sweden-Romania match.
The SOCCER EXPERT
ENGLAND’S LAST STAND Engalnd, which failed to quality for the 1994 World Cup, has won the event once, in 1966 when it played host to the tournament. Led by centerbacks Bobby Moore and Jack Charlton, the English employed a 4-4-2 alignment that featured a smothering defense and methodical attack. In the final at Wembley Stadium, England defeated West Germany, 4-2, in overtime, and Geoff Hurst recorded the only hat trick in a World Cup final. Source: Times staff
