LOS ANGELES, February 9: Brazil qualified for the semifinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup by defeating El Salvador 4-0 last night.While the World Cup champions ensured advancement, Brazil still doesn't know which team it faces next. If Jamaica beats El Salvador tonight, Brazil would finish second in its group and play the United States tomorrow. If the Jamaicans lose or tie, Brazil would win group one and play Mexico on Wednesday.
The match was the second contest of a double header. Jamaica defeated Guatemala 3-2 in the opener.
El Salvador's Jorge Gonzalez, considered that nation's best player ever, made his first appearance for his country in seven years. Gonzalez entered the game in the 69th minute.
Gonzalez represented El Salvador in the 1982 World Cup, then played professionally in Spain's first division for eight years.
Brazil, which had scored just one goal - on a penalty kick - in its first two Gold Cup matches, overwhelmed El Salvador with superior speed and touch to earn two early goals.
AsZinho took a corner kick from the right side, Edmundo crossed in front of goalkeeper Misael Alfaro to head the ball into the net from two yards in the seventh minute.
El Salvador had its best chance to score in the 19th minute. Wilfredo Iraheta received Guillermo Rivera's 25-yard free kick seven yards from the goal and shot. However, defender Marcelo Goncalves cleared the ball before El Salvador's Israel Castro Franco could reach it.
On Brazil's ensuing possession during that same minute, romario dribbled into the penalty area unmarked after taking a right-wing pass from Zinho, and fired a 14-yard shot past Alfaro.
Elber, who entered the game in the 81st minute, finished the scoring with goals in the 87th and 90th minutes. His second goal was a right-footed, back-heeled shot from six yards after intercepting a ball headed by el Salvador's Vladan Vicevic.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
