WORLD CUP SOCCER ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Today’s Games at a Glance
GROUP B at Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich.
BRAZIL vs. SWEDEN
* TIME: 1 p.m.
* TV: ESPN, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: Can any team stop the high-flying Brazilians? Russia and Cameroon couldn’t, but Sweden might be able to slow them with hard-tackling defenders and goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli.
Then again, the task of marking Brazilians more often brings on nightmares. They entered as tournament favorites and have not disappointed in victories over Russia (2-0) and Cameroon (3-0). Forward Romario has led the way with two goals and goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel has been equal to challenges.
This could have been a matchup of premier forwards, but Sweden’s brilliant Martin Dahlin, who has scored three times in two games, must sit after receiving a second yellow card against Russia.
Dahlin’s scoring mate, forward Tomas Brolin, must pick up the slack, and Jonas Thern has proved to be an excellent set-up man in the Swedish midfield.
* OUTLOOK: With six points, Brazil is ensured of advancement. Sweden, in solid position with four points, could take the group with an upset but will probably take a conservative approach without Dahlin. Four points probably will be enough to advance, and Sweden needs to protect its goal differential, plus-two.
Brazil would prefer to win the group and take on a third-place team in Round Two, at Palo Alto.
* OUTCOME: Expect Sweden to play back and try to keep the score down. A scoreless match would not disappoint the Swedes. Brazil, however, doesn’t have much to lose and will probably come out free and easy for a 2-1 victory to enter the knockout round as odds-on favorite for the heavyweight title.
