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SCOTLAND coach Craig Brown's fear that Brazil might not be 100% fired up for their final Group A match with Norway can be put to rest ahead of today's crucial game in Marseille.
Brazil have, of course, already qualified for the second round and Brown last week voiced a concern that the reigning world champions might be tempted to slacken off, conserving their energy for the later stages. But a simmering row between Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo and Egil Olsen, his Norwegian counterpart, means that such a let-up is unlikely.
Olsen upset Zagallo recently, when he claimed that Brazil would be more successful if they adopted his more direct system of play, but the Brazilian promptly hit back, sniffing: If I was coach of Norway they would already have qualified. High balls into the area, those are Olsen's tactics. Our necks are going to hurt so much that we'll have to get them massaged after the game.
He has a point. This match will be the ultimate clash of styles, with Brazil's elegant skills coming up against the long-ball specialists from Scandinavia. The South Americans have failed to beat Norway in two previous meetings, and when the sides last met, in May 1997, Ronaldo and Co. were on the receiving end of a 4-2 defeat in Oslo which clearly hurt their pride. Midfielder Rivaldo insisted: We absolutely want to beat Norway. There's a bit of history there and maybe it's about time we beat them.. We know that their style consists of playing the long ball and we are prepared for that..
Defensive midfielder Cesar Sampaio is suspended this afternoon and Zagallo is expected to field a more attacking formation than in previous games, with the skilful Denilson primed to step in for his first start of France 98. In addition, the defensive pairing of Aldair and Junior Baiano have each received one yellow card already and may be rested. Norway have recalled Liverpool midfielder Oyvind Leonhardsen, who will replace another former Wimbledon player, Staale Solbakken, in the starting line-up as Olsen's men bid to extend their 17-month unbeaten run.
Last Tuesday's results left group rivals Scotland and Morocco level on one point going into their final match at St Etienne today, with Norway needing to beat the world champions to make sure they qualify. I don't think that they will take it easy against us just because they are already qualified, reveals Leonhardsen. In the World Cup you always want to win and I don't think Brazil are any exception. They will want to show the world how good they are. Facing Brazil in the World Cup is just about the toughest challenge football can offer, but the Norwegians have always been good at rising to the challenge.
Scotland will be hoping that Leonhardsen's words come back to haunt him and that tonight's match proves a challenge too far for Norway.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Brazil: Taffarel, Cafu, Aldair, Goncalves, Roberto Carlos, Dunga, Leonardo, Rivaldo, Denilson, Bebeto, Ronaldo.
Norway: Frode Grodas, Henning Berg, Dan Eggen, Ronnie Johnsen, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Havard Flo, Oyvind Leonhardsen, Kjetil Rekdal, Roar Strand, Vidar Riseth; Tore Andre Flo.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Ronaldo v Tore Andre Flo
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 | Ronaldo | T.A. Flo
| | Minutes on Pitch | 180 | 180
| | Goal Attempts | |
| | Goals | 1 | 0
| | Shots on Target | 2 | 0
| | Shots off Target | 4 | 1
| | Blocked Shots | 0 | 0
| | Passing | |
| | Goal Assists | 1 | 0
| | Total Passes | 40 | 56
| | Pass Completion % | 83% | 55%
| | Crossing | |
| | Total Crosses | 2 | 0
| | Cross Completion % | 0% | 0%
| | Dribbling | |
| | Dribbles and Runs | 12 | 11
| | Dribble Completion % | 67% | 36%
| | Defending | |
| | Tackles Made | 6 | 4
| | Tackles Won % | 83% | 25%
| | Blocks | 0 | 0
| | Clearances | 1 | 2
| | Interceptions | 0 | 0
| | Discipline | |
| | Fouls | 2 | 7
| | Offside | 2 | 2
| | Yellow Cards | 0 | 0
| | Red Cards | 0 | 0
| | Carling Opta Average Points | 1013 | 188 |
BIG MATCH TRIVIA
Since losing two matches in a row in 1966, Brazil have played 23 group games in the finals without defeat, winning 18 and drawing five.
If this game is a draw, the Norwegians will equal the record of four consecutive ties in the finals set by the Republic of Ireland in 1990 (the Scandinavians drew their final match of USA 94).
Norway have never lost with Ole Gunner Solskjaer in the starting line-up. The only time he's been on the losing side was when he came on as a substitute against the might of Trinidad & Tobago in 1995.
Like many of the Brazilians, Norway's Jahn Ivar Jakobsen has his nickname, not his real name, on the back of his shirt Mini. He's only 5-foot-4.
Tore Andre Flo and Havard Flo are cousins. Tore Andre's brother Jostein is also in the squad and is a veteran of USA 94. It's only the second time that three members of the same family have played in the World Cup finals.
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News 6 
