RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 19: Brazil thrilled a dancing crowd of 80,000 in the northeastern city of Fortaleza last night with an artistic dismantling of Russia 5-1 in an international friendly.Despite missing superstar striker Ronaldo, the Brazilian side erupted with a five-goal outburst for the second time in three matches after downing Ecuador 5-1 in Washington last month.
It was Giovanne Elber, a hat-trick holder in the Ecuador game, who put the Brazilians on track at Castelo Stadium with a strike in the third minute. Bayern Munich's Elber teamed with fellow striker Amoroso to play havoc in the Russian defense all night.
Amoroso gained his first of two goals in the 19th minute while the young mid-fielder Rivaldo closed out a dominant first half with a penalty kick on the 44th minute.
The team of new coach Wanderley Luxemburgo kept up the torrid pace in the second half as Marco Assuncao slammed home in the 59th minute. Amoroso was on target again in the 71st minute to gain back a 66th minute penalty kickgoal conceded to the outclassed Russians.
Luxemburgo's team of mostly inexperienced internationalists who can take part in the Olympics 2000 in Sydney was rounded out by captain Cafu of as Roma, Rivaldo of Barcelona, Denilson of Betis Sevilla, and Flavio Canceicao of Deportivo La Coruna.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.