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Brazil gets subdued greeting
Fans in Rio fail to turn out to greet finalists
Posted: Tuesday July 14, 1998 05:07 PM
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The Brazilian soccer team is greeted by thousands of fans in Brasilia despite its 3-0 loss to France in the World Cup (AP) |
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) --
Brazil's vanquished World Cup soccer team returned Tuesday to a hero's
welcome from thousands who packed the streets of the national capital. But
in Rio de Janeiro, the greeting was much more subdued.
In Brasilia, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso hailed "our glorious team"
and decorated each of the players with the National Merit Order.
A couple of hours later, when the team arrived in Rio, only a few hundred
of fans were at the airport.
Authorities in Rio had planned a big welcome on the assumption the team
would come back with its fifth World Cup. But that changed with Sunday's
defeat to France. The
players left the Rio airport immediately after landing, avoiding the media.
The Brasilia greeting was much more upbeat.
Two Brazilian Air Force fighters escorted the team's jetliner as it
approached the airport.
The players headed to the Presidential Palace for an official welcoming
ceremony amid the cheers of thousands of fans.
"It is possible there is happiness across France. But we were four times
world champions this century. They just one", Cardoso said, in a emotional
speech.
"Our destiny is to grow and become champions. There will be other
tournaments."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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