Brazil Finds Cup Quest Doesn’t Come Cheaply

Mom always said you get what you pay for--and Brazil is spending an estimated $10 million in its quest for a fifth World Cup championship.

A newspaper in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, O Estado de Sao Paulo, said the Brazilian federation will earn $700,000 a game, or $4.9 million. However, the team’s hotel bill alone is more than $1.2 million and each player was promised $170,000 if the team wins.

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In the first 60 games of the tournament, 160 goals were scored, for an average of 2.67. That’s still below the average of 2.71 in 1994 but more than the 2.21 in 1990.

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Tip to the next United States national team coach: When you get upset at the media, consider using the straightforward approach adopted by France’s Aime Jacquet.

Here is Jacquet’s latest broadside at the fourth estate/fifth column: “I have known for a long time that I am dealing with dishonest, incompetent yobs. I hope the French public can figure that out.”

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Brazil has defeated the Netherlands--but only in the press box. At least so far.

The corps of Brazilian journalists accredited to cover today’s game--144--far outnumbered the Dutch corps of about 40. On photographers, it’s 40-20, in favor of Brazil.