23810: (pub) Slavin (Sun-Sentinel) - Haiti 2 Brazil (over 30s) 1 (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

jps390@aol.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-soccer14nov14,0,5660269.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines

Haiti outruns Brazil
 By Jeff Rusnak
Special correspondent

November 14, 2004

MIAMI · Beauty fades, even for Brazil's World Cup heroes.
On a night when its lone goal was scored by a Mexican, Brazil's 1994 World Cup reunion team showed its age in a 2-1 loss to Haiti in front of 18,312 fans at the Orange Bowl.
The result mattered less than the cause that brought the teams together, which was to raise money for UNICEF's hurricane relief efforts in Haiti. The game was part of a doubleheader that concluded with Mexico beating St. Kitts and Nevis 5-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup 2006 qualifier.
Five dollars from every ticket benefited Haitian children, and the spirit of giving extended to Haiti's national team, which outshot the storied Brazilians 19-3. The Haitians were younger, faster and fitter than Brazil, which fielded nine players from the 1994 World Cup champion, including star forwards Romario and Bebeto.
"It was difficult for us," said Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel, who made seven saves before being subbed in the 73rd minute. "They run a lot and they were 20 years younger."
Youth triumphed, but barely. Haiti needed a 90th-minute goal from second-half sub Ricardo P. Louis to wipe out a Brazilian goal scored six minutes earlier by Mexican star Jorge Campos. Campos, a goalkeeper by trade, joined Brazil as a guest player and entered the match as a forward in the 63rd minute.
Haiti midfielder Ulcena Richardson scored in the 10th minute on the most Brazilian play of the night.
Haiti's Cherry Mones dribbled past two defenders in the 18-yard box and laid off a pass that Richardson chipped over Taffarel into the far side-netting.
Brazil nearly equalized a minute later, but Bebeto's shot from eight yards was saved by a diving Beauzile Loidgi. Bebeto skimmed the crossbar from 22 yards on a free kick in the 20th minute.
Brazil lost midfielder Valber to a red card in the 69th minute, but Campos tied the score 15 minutes later with a dipping first-time volley from 18 yards.
Mexico got three goals from Jose Francisco Fonseca and one each Hector Altamirano and Carlos Santana to outmatch St. Kitts.
Mexico is 7-0 overall in two rounds of CONCACAF qualifying and has outscored its opponents 37-1. The Tricolores host St. Kitts on Wednesday to close the semifinal round.

Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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J.P. Slavin
New York
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