Edmundo villain, Dida hero, Corinthians win

Edmundo burst into tears after his miss but later managed to say: “My sadness is double: firstly as the player who lost the game for his club and second as a Vasco da Gama fan who wanted his team to be world champions.”Necaxa of Mexico downed Spanish Real Madrid, 4-3 on penalties, to capture third place in the tournament.

VITAL MISS: Edmundo missed the fifth penalty for his side immediately after Corinthians player Marcelinho had what would have been a winning kick saved by Vasco ‘keeper Helton Vasco substitute Viola had made a blatant attempt to intimidate Marcelinho before he took that penalty. Vasco defender Gilberto had earlier had his side’s third penalty saved by Corinthians’ Brazilian international goalkeeper Dida.

Rio de Janeiro’s own Vasco failed to make any real inroads into a well organised Corinthians defence with the Sao Paulo side the reigning Brazilian champions looking like they were settling for penalties right from the start, perhaps mindful that Dida is a renowned penalty saver.But the upshot of it all is that Corinthians are the first true global club champions taking over the mantle traditionally held by the winners of the Intercontinental Cup the current holders of that trophy being England’s Manchester United.

But the on-the-field action did not have the same tensionas the spirited duel between the rival sets of fans with players on both side seeming afraid to take risks and clearly determined not to make a mistake.

It was goalless at the interval and Corinthians had better reason to be pleased with the Vasco fans slowly losing their voice.

Corinthians introduced Edu for the second half in place of Ricardinho who had been doubtful for this match with injury.

Just as in the first period, it was Corinthians who made the first real threat after the break when Vasco goalkeeper Helton was caught out of position but Luizao was just unable to reach the ball.

Soon Edilson came within a whisker of putting Corinthians ahead when he caught the Vasco defence square and his shot missed by inches. The signs were not good for Vasco whose players gestured to their fans who were being outshouted by the Corinthians contingent.

Inevitably extra-time came with the final now to be decided by a golden goal or failing that a penalty shoot-out.