Seedorf Shines In Zico Charity Match
Rio de Janeiro was both thrilled and stunned to see a Dutchman stealing the scene from native marvels, but Clarence Seedorf was the name of the game in yesterday’s charity match organised by Zico. The AC Milan man commanded his side to an 8-5 win where the real winners were the needy in Rio who’ll receive over seven tonnes of foodstuffs.
The match took place at the CFZ facilities in Rio de Janeiro, but Seedorf is a ‘Brazilophile’ and frequently spends part of his holidays in Brazil as well as speaking good Portuguese. When he found out about the game he bought a pair of football boots at a local mall and asked if he could join in. Zico and Júnior welcomed him onto their team.
The Red Team that Zico, Júnior and Seedorf were in used the following line-up: Zé Carlos; Leo Moura, Junior Baiano, Gonçalves and Leonardo; Junior, Emerson, Seedorf and Zico; Thiago Coimbra and Amoroso. Their subs were: Bebeto, Zinho, Fabinho, Élder Granja, Lenny, Roger and Jaime.
On the other side the White Team were formed by Acácio; Gabriel, Mauro Galvão, Fabiano Eller and Julio César; Ailton, Adílio, Djalminha; Roberto Dinamite, Vágner Love and Claudio Adão. Their subs were: Wellerson, Alex Dias, Macelinho Carioca, Alexandre Torres, Delacir, Andrade, Hugo and Vitor.
The Reds were blessed with braces; Amoroso, Zinho and Seedorf all getting second helpings of goal with Leonardo Moura and Bebeto rounding off the eight goals. After the game the Dutchman gave his boots to a disabled fan and spoke of his happiness.
“It’s an incredible honour to play alongside idols like Zico, Júnior and the others and at the same time. I’m just glad that I heard about the game and was able to come here and support such a worthy cause,” explained the Milan midfielder. Deco and Ronaldo were both unable to make the event for undisclosed reasons.
On the White Team the highlight was CSKA Moscow and seleção marksman Vágner Love (ex-Palmeiras) who bagged the only hat-trick of the match whereas veterans Alex Dias and Marcelinho Carioca scored a goal apiece.
Zico promised that with this year’s success the 2007 event will be even bigger. “It’s been really moving to see all the support and to know that we tripled the amount of food that we collected. I hope that next year we can use a bigger venue and expand the proceeds even more,” explained the Fenerbahçe Coach and Flamengo idol. (Goal.com)
Considering that the game was held in order to provide food for the needy, perhaps it's a good thing Ronnie
didn't show up.
(sorry for the expression)
