Romario bags hat-trick

Juan Pablo

The great one starts the year as he means to go on by netting a hat-trick, alas it was all in vain as Vasco slumped to a 5-3 loss at the hands of Botofogo. Romario celebrates his 40th birthday this Sunday.

Changes At Vasco

After Vasco suffered their first reverse of 2006, the 5-3 beating by cross-city rivals Botafogo in the emotional reopening game in an almost-finished Maracanã, changes are afoot in the Maltese cross club. Coach Renato Gaúcho was annoyed with the lukewarm attitude shown by many of his men, an honourable exception being Romário with a hat-trick that almost saved the day.

The next game against América will see midfielder Ygor sit out his punishment for being sent off, and a chance being given to Yves, although both Abedi and Léo Inácio are also in the running for the first eleven spot. In fact, only two players have their places reserved: Romário and Alex Dias.

Goalkeeper Roberto, despite his clamorous gaffes in the recent derby, should actually have a good chance of staying put thanks to a mea culpa – “There’s no excuse. I let in two easy goals and Vasco ended up losing” admitted the player on his way off the Maracanã field – and a good series of games leading up to the hiccups against the Lone Star.

Tests will be made in the upcoming friendly against easy meat Angra dos Reis. This match has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 4pm in Vasco’s São Januário home. The match therefore assumes more practical dimensions than just a way of allowing the Baixinho to net the coveted 1000 goals he’s set as a last target before retiring.

From http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=7453

David19

The fact he's still playing at 40 shows the talent he has. Certainly one of the best players in our generation. 1000 goals will be some achievement. I'll never forget the hat trick he scored against United in the Champions league.

besty

He really is a class act isn't he. Hope he gets the 1000 to be honest, I'm sure he will too

TwistsAndTurns

By scoring 1000 goals will that put him in the same scoring charts as Pele?
Truly is great that a 40 yr old can play top class football, great player.

RE*AC*TOR

whatever happened Bebeto?

Guy:Incognito

I reckon sam allerdyce was at the match, contract in hand.:)

Juan Pablo

eirebhoys wrote:

By scoring 1000 goals will that put him in the same scoring charts as Pele?

Its very hard to compare Romario's goal scoring record with Pele's. Officially Pele scored 1280 goals in his carrer, although this is difficult to verify (top scorer in 1959 with 129 goals :eek: ). The record for goals scored belongs to another Brazillian Artur Friedenreich with 1329 goals from 1909 to 1935, however this record is, like Pele's, questionable. For Romario to reach 1000 goals in modern day football is a greater achievement imho, its a totally different era and records exist for all of Romario's goals. Either way its a phenomenal achievement. Who knows, Romario may even play on for another 5 years and top Friedenreich's record

jacool

silly question, but how close is he, 1 away or more ?
ta

and is it harder to score now against fitter players or easier with them dodgy footballs ?

Juan Pablo

jacool wrote:

but how close is he, 1 away or more ?

Its 947 down and 53 to go! :v:

kyp_durron

I hope he does it, the man is a legend!

What did happen to Bebeto? He was class as well.

eyerer

yeah, remember him and bebeto from WC94, they were excellent

YeatsCounty

I would love it if Romario got his 1000 goals. He is one of the best players that I have ever seen.

As for Bebeto:

Bebeto started his career in 1983 with Vitoria and would go on to play for Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, and Botafogo in Brazil, Deportivo La Coruña and Sevilla in Spain, Toros Neza in Mexico, Kashima Antlers in Japan, and Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. He retired in 2002.