WORLD CUP ’94 DAILY REPORT : No Business, as Usual, When Brazil Plays
When stocks compete against soccer in World Cup-crazed Brazil, it’s no contest. Brazil’s nine stock markets will close early on days the national team plays in the World Cup.
“It’s too much to ask traders to keep their minds on business when Brazil plays,” said Carlos Alberto Azevedo, a spokesman for the IBV exchange in Rio de Janeiro.
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Brazil’s Ricardo Gomes, a fullback and cornerstone of the defense, was cut from the team Tuesday after pulling a thigh muscle in a tuneup game against El Salvador in Fresno.
The injury is the latest in a series of injuries on the defense, including Mozer (hepatitis), Aldair (knee), Branco (back) and Ricardo Rocha (muscle pains).
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Switzerland, the first U.S. World Cup opponent, defeated the Milwaukee Kicks, a club team, 11-0, in a free-spirited scrimmage in which Swiss goaltenders manned both goals in Birmingham, Mich., in the rain.
Swiss goaltender Marco Pascolo was in the Milwaukee goal.
“We certainly hope Pascolo doesn’t let in 11 goals against the American side, don’t we?” Coach Roy Hodgson said, laughing.
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Claudio Reyna, the youngest player on the U.S. soccer team and the college player of the year in 1992 and 1993, appears likely to start in the Americans’ World Cup opener against Switzerland in Pontiac, Mich.
Reyna, a 20-year-old midfielder, hasn’t participated in workouts since last Wednesday night, when he pulled his right hamstring. But he said Tuesday he was 85-90% and will be ready by the weekend.
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The Russian soccer team accused U.S. authorities of delaying visas for part of its World Cup party.
Alexander Turkmanov, head of the Russian team delegation, said 12 members--”mostly wives of the players”--were to join the team in the United States starting Thursday, but the U.S. embassy in Moscow had not yet issued them the visas.
He added that an unknown number of Russian fans who wanted to support the team were denied or still awaiting American visas.
There was no immediate comment from U.S. immigration authorities.
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Striker Vladimir Bestchatnykh has recovered from tonsillitis and should be fit for Russia’s opening World Cup Group B match against Brazil next Monday.
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Bora Milutinovic, U.S. team coach, asked if he enjoyed his team’s underdog role: “First, I don’t enjoy being a dog.”
The Soccer Expert
* SLICE OF SWISS
The United States opens its World Cup schedule Saturday against Switzerland in Pontiac, Mich., in what is believed to be the key game for U.S. hopes. But to win, the United States will have to control midfielder Ciriaco Sforza and forwards Adrian Knup and Stephane Chapuisat. Defender Marc Hottiger often assumes an offensive role.
Source: Times staff
