WORLD CUP USA ’94 / QUARTERFINALS : Spotlight : ONE FOR DUTCH BULLETIN BOARD

Brazilian journalists said Thursday that Romario, one of the team’s star forwards, declared the Netherlands team is not as competitive or spirited as the U.S. team, which it defeated in the second round, 1-0.

Dutch Coach Dick Advocaat and his players, who will face Brazil in a quarterfinal Saturday at Dallas, had varied reactions when Romario’s sentiments were relayed to them.

Advocaat saw the statement as a ploy to get the Dutch to doubt themselves.

“We know Romario very well because he played in Holland for a number of years,” he said, referring to Romario’s five-year stay with PSV Eindhoven. “I know he must have a reason he said what he said.”

Said goalkeeper Ed De Goey: “That is his conclusion. I think I have another one.”

Midfielder Frank Rijkaard dismissed Romario’s words.

“I think he has the right to say anything he wants,” Rijkaard said. “We will see how it goes on the field.”