Samba rhythm heard again

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 42

Samba rhythm heard again

NZPA-Reuter Guadalajara Brazil proved that reports of its decline were grossly exaggerated by reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup yesterday with a resounding 4-0 victory over Poland in the Jalisco Stadium. Tele Santana’s 1986 Brazilians may not possess all the balletic grace of their illustrious 1958, 1962 and 1970 predecessors, but there is still no finer sight in football than the famous yellow and blue strip in full flow. Goals by Socrates, from a thirtieth minute penalty,

Josimar (54min), Edinho (77min) and Careca, with another penalty seven minutes from time, earned Brazil a last-eight clash with either the 1982 winner, Italy, or the European champion, France, on the same pitch on Saturday. Brazil, playing to the samba rhythm of the drums and trumpets on the terraces, bemused the technically efficient Poles with its incomparable magic as the East European challenge evaporated under the midday sun.

If Zico, outstanding when he came on as sub-

stitute 20 minutes from time, regains full fitness, Brazil could produce a Mexican triumph of 16 years ago — on this form it is debatable whether any team can live with them.

Poland, third in the 1974 and 1982 World Cups, in the early stages at least, rediscovered its pride following last week’s mauling against England and the result just might have been different had it not twice hit the woodwork before Brazil got off the mark.

In a game which was always competitive but

never dirty, the West German referee, Volker Roth, cautioned five players — the Polish trio of Wlodzimierz Smolarek, Dariusz Dziekanowski and Boniek and the Brazilians, Edinho and Careca.

The Brazilian coach, Tele Santana, said that the victory was by far his team’s hardest at these finals.

Mr Santana said Poland’s early pressure had unsettled Brazil. “We gave them too much space. It was not a good first half for Brazil. “In the second half with a one-goal advantage our team looked more deter-

mined. After our second goal the Polish team surrendered, giving us enough space to have scored even more goals than we did,” he said.

Mr Santana said he was not particularly happy with the performances of the veteran midfielders, Junior and Socrates, who were too slow, but planned to retain them for Saturday’s quarterfinal here. He said it made no difference whether it was France or Italy that Brazil played next. “We just feel that we are ready to face either one.”