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Journalism of Courage
Lesigny France, June 2: Brazilian striker Romario was dropped from his country8217;s World Cup squad today because team officials said he had not recovered from a calf muscle injury. Brazil coach Mario Zagallo said Romario had failed fitness tests over the weekend and would be replaced in the World Cup squad by mid-fielder Emerson who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
Zagallo told a news conference that Romario was still suffering pain in his calf and that the injury could take between 10 days and a month to heal. He said team officials had decided not to risk including him in the squad. Brazil play in the opening match against Scotland on June 10.
FANS RATTLED: Shocked by their team8217;s mediocre performance in Sunday8217;s 1-1 friendlyagainst Athletic Bilbao, Brazilian fans are beginning to think the unthinkable they may not win a fifth World Cup, according to reports from capital Brasilia. Nine days before their debut against Scotland, the world champions are on the brink of crisis following a sloppy and disjointed display against the Spaniards. Coming on the heels of a disappointing display against amateur Paris side Racing, the match nudged die-hard fans to the brink of heresy by raising the possibility their team may struggle to bring home another World Cup. A phone-in survey on Globo television following Sunday8217;s game found 57 percent of supporters were 8220;terrified8221; about their prospects in the tournament while 31 percent declared themselves 8220;pessimistic.8221;
Only 11 percent were confident Brazil would flatten the competition, down from a crushing 70 percent who had confidently predicted victory earlier in the week.
8220;Team getting worse every time,8221; screamed Monday8217;s edition of Daily Jornal De Brasilia. 8220;It was hard being asupporter,8221; said Correio Braziliense. Commentators rained criticism on Brazil8217;s players for failing to come together as a team.
