Vasco, Corinthians in all-Brazilian final

Vasco, Corinthians in all-Brazilian final
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

RIO DE JANEIRO, JANUARY 12: Friday's final of the inaugural World Club Championship will have a succulent Samba flavour after Romario pounced to send Rio's Vasco da Gama into a showdown with Cao Paulo-based Corinthians after wrapping a 2-1 win over Mexico's Necaxa here.

Necaxa had the temerity to take lead at the Maracana Stadium but finally had to settle for a place in the third place play-off on goal difference at Manchester United's expense.

European champions United prepared to go home after earlier wiping off some of the egg left on their faces following a draw with Necaxa and a defeat by Vasco which ended their hopes.

The English giants at least won their last game 2-0 against South Melbourne of Australia--- a win handed them courtesy two fine goals by young South African winger Quinton Fortune.

Vasco, the 1998 Libertadores Cup winners, will now face Sao Paulo-based compatriots Corinthians, the 1998 Brazilian champions, in Friday's final showdown after Necaxa take on Spain's Real Madrid in a battle for third place.

The Mexicans, the reigning Concacaf champions, took the game to Vasco early on and highly-bated Ecuadorean playmaker Alex Aguinaga slotted them ahead after just five minutes with a low shot from just inside the box.

Stunned by that, Vasco, desperate not to miss their Corinthians date, roared back and Odvan timed his jump perfectly as he headed home at the far post following a corner on the left on 14 minutes.

Odvan had come on as a substitute only five minutes earlier following an early injury to Junior Baiano.

Romario, who scored twice against United last Saturday to break the hearts of the English Premiership and European champions, then ensured he would bag the headlines once again as he settled matters in the 70th minute, ending a fine run with a low shot past Necaxa 'keeper Hugo Pineda.

The crowd vociferously acclaimed the 33-year-old striker, sacked late last year by Vasco's deadly rivals Flamengo for partying the night away at a nightclub just hours after a defeat.

Both Romario and Real Madrid's injured Nicolas Anelka now head the goal charts at the event with three.

Edmundo eventually came on in place of Donizete to play a cameo role with 20 minutes left with the idea that he will be all the fresher for the final.

Vasco coach Antonio Lopes insisted afterwards that ``Corinthians are clear favourites'' for the final.

``They are Brazilian champions and strengthened their squad last month and have massive support. I think they are the stronger team,'' said Lopes.

Until Romario's explosive contribution, tension had hung heavy over the massive and recently refurbished arena as Romon and Mauro Galvao both hit the woodwork.

Necaxa fought back and Vasco 'keeper Helton had to be at his best to keep out efforts from Agustin Delgado and Aguinago. Helton then rode his luck as Mexican substitute Sergio Vazquez smacked a free kick against the bar two minutes from time.

Earlier, United's rising talent fortune, excused from South Africa's training camp for the African Nations Cup, took advantage of coach Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to give United's youngsters their chance by netting in the eighth and 20th minutes to see off Melbourne.

Other reserves in a barely-recognisable United side included 'keeper Raimond Van Der Gouw, Danny Higginbottom, Ronnie Wallwork, Mark Wilson and Jonathan Greening, while Jordi Cruyff also made a rare start.

David Beckham, suspended for the Vasco defeat following his red card in the opening match against Mexico's Necaxa, had to be content with a place on the bench alongside the likes of Dwight Yorke, Ryan Giggs and Jaap Stam. Beckham finally came on after 77 minutes in place of Wilson.