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"Inside The Mind Of..."


Jefferson Roblee


"Brazil vs. Holland from Section 110, Row 17, Seat 36"
November 29, 1999


In a summer that seemed more fantasy than reality, the 1994 World Cup gave millions of Americans an up-close look at quality international soccer. I was fortunate to be in attendance at one of the memorable games that made the '94 World Cup such a successful "event"......Brazil vs. Holland (World Cup quarterfinal in Dallas).


THE TRIP: Experienced Cast of Characters Drive to Dallas

My trip to Dallas was anything but boring. I had a first class crew of conversationalists to keep me on my toes during the 9 hour drive. For starters there was Al Granum (Tulsa raised N.A.S.L. junkie with Yugoslavian skill. Al isn't someone you should get into a soccer debate with unless you're in need of a severe ego bruise.). We've been good friends since kicking together at TU.

Also making the trip was Burke Slusher. A childhood friend and goalkeeper extrodinaire, Burke also serves as a first class navigator (assumed role) who never lets me or anyone else forget how valuable he is during these out-of-town trips.

Another member of the Dallas destined squad was childhood friend and TU alum J. Jenkins. J. (half-genius/half daredevil) is quoted among "The World's Greatest Minds". This title goes without debate after witnessing his near supernatural ability recognizing coincidence and completing newspaper crossword puzzles. Easily the best "listener" of the squad, J.'s verbal contributions are often received with stomach gripping laughter.

Rounding out the Corp from Kansas City was my twin brother Lincoln. All of us knew what we were getting into. We had all road-tripped to Chicago a year earlier to watch Germany pick apart the USA in U.S. Cup '93. On our way to Dallas we rendezvoused in Tulsa with an international soccer rookie named Josh Petrikin. Josh, my roommate during my freshman year at TU, was the undisputed opinion leader among our group in college. Although he was unfamiliar to international soccer, Josh was no stranger to "road-tripping". The future M.D. had a chameleon's savvy to survive. Our squad was complete.


PREGAME:

Arriving at the Cotton Bowl 3 hours before kickoff (conservative guess), we had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere. Al, proudly decked out in his authentic bright-red Manchester United tie-up, jersey, was being swarmed by foreigners chanting "Ex-chong-jay! Ex-chong-jay!" They wanted to exchange their jersey for Al's Man U jersey. Al unbelievably turned down some very good offers (Al's a big Cantona fan!). This soon turned out to be a huge part of the pregame.

Lincoln and I looked very plain so we quickly transitioned into very expensive World Cup Holland T-shirts. Josh and J. also joined in as they purchased even more expensive Holland replica jerseys (Burke opted for the fashionably chic Peter Max World Cup T). Once decorated in more festive (and appropriate) attire, our next 15 minutes included singing & dancing with Brazilian Samba bands. Lincoln and I then pestered everyone wearing yellow trying to exchange our brand new Holland T-shirts for Brazilian National Team jerseys (easier said than done, although EVERYONE seemed to be wearing one). I eventually broke-through the international barrier and somehow convinced (confused.?.) a non English speaking fan to accept my orange Holland T-shirt for a Brazilian National Team jersey (He was not only wearing a Brazil jersey, but also wearing an additional jersey as a cape...I got the extra jersey he was wearing as a cape).

Our group was probably among the first 5,000 in the stadium. Strangely enough, we were not the only Kansas Citians to arrive early. Alex Aiman (now Blue Valley head coach), who had then just hired me as his future assistant at Liberty saw us and said hi. Barely acquaintances at the time, it was great to see Alex at the game (Neither of us knew the other would be there. It seemed like an omen that our time working together at Liberty was going to be successful.).

At this time the weather in Dallas was border-line scary. It looked as if a hurricane was about to swallow the stadium. Everything cleared up when the Dutch took the field for pregame warm-ups: Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Raikkard, Marc Overmars, Wim Jonk, Ronald Koeman...it was very cool. Lincoln, J., and I managed to get very close to the field during the warm-ups. I thought it was especially interesting (being a twin) seeing the Dutch twins Ronald and Frank Deboer kick together before the game. Moments later I heard "Roblee!" I turned around and there was Shane Schwab (Captain of Tulsa U soccer in '89). Shane was with current Oral Roberts U coach Steve Hayes. We chatted for a while and then had a picture taken. During this whole pregame extravaganza (very festive crowd), there was no sign of Brazil's team. The players were "missing" from the pitch until just minutes before the game when they entered holding hands in their traditional pattern. The fun had just begun....


THE GAME:

From the opening whistle, it seemed to me that Brazil was controlling their own destiny. I remember thinking Holland was working too hard to create a good scoring opportunity while Brazil seemed to stroll down the field with a playful confidence. The crowd was definitely in favor of Brazil. Anyone colorblind would have still been able to recognize the overwhelming presence of yellow (although Brazil wore their alternate Blue uniforms). Prior to the game, Pelé (now a commentator for Brazilian television) boldly criticized the play of Brazil's #10 Rai (team captain and central midfielder). Apparently Brazil head coach Zagallo agreed. Rai was benched. I think this was a positive for Brazil. Defensive midfielder Dunga became the team's new captain.

Another interesting lineup adjustment for Brazil was the absence of Leonardo (suspended after receiving a red-card for striking Tab Ramos in the 1-0 defeat of U.S.A.). I missed Leonardo. He was one of my favorite players on Brazil (but deserved to be kicked out of the tournament). Branco (who wore the traditional Brazilian #6 signifying the left back position) replaced Leonardo at left (wing)back.

The first half zipped by with a 0-0 halftime score. Although no one had scored, Brazil's forwards Romario and Bebeto were clearly the two best players on the field. No doubt about it. You could feel the crowd's blood pressure soar every time either player would touch the ball. Then they struck. Bebeto crossed to Romario and it was 1-0! After scoring, Romario ran to the corner and dropped to his knees. At that time the crowd roared as if Romario's 1 goal counted as 100. To most of the fans, the game was over.

It was far from it. Brazil obviously had more in them. Bebeto took advantage of a questionable non off-side call before outdribbling Dutch keeper Ed De Goey and slotting the ball into an empty net. 2-0, Brazil. Bebeto ran to the same corner as Romario's celebration and made a cradle rocking motion in reference to his new born baby Mattheaus (named after the German star). What was most impressive about this celebration was how Brazilians teammates Romario and Mazinho joined in the rocking motion in virtual synchronicity (It was probably a good thing that Rai wasn't around to spoil the rhythm of a good celebration). Dennis Bergkamp created his own rhythem when he lost his marker by checking to the ball (a throw-in), and then darting away to the goal. Unbelievably the Brazilian defender fell for Bergkamp's seemingly school yard deception as the throw landed perfectly over both players heads and on the foot of Bergkamp running towards a nearby goal. His solid finish made the game a surprising 1-2.

What seemed like only a couple minutes later, Bergkamp threatened in almost the same area of the field when his shot was stopped by a Brazilian defender's hand and then cleared out for a corner. Holland had little time to complain about the non-penalty call. Seconds later, Holland's Aarron Winter headed in a well driven corner to even the score 2-2. It was unbelieveable! I was sitting (standing) in the upper deck of the stadium overlooking where the corner kick came from. When Winter smashed his game-tying header, for some reason Lincoln, J., and I celebrated as if we were Dutch natives. I think part of the joy was believing the game would last forever (overtime at least). This was too much fun to end anytime soon.

At this time the score was tied, but Brazil never seemed to lose any momentum. Although the score had changed, Brazil's style never did. A foul from 25 yards out allowed Branco to hit an incredible bending free-kick to give Brazil a 3-2 lead and birth into the semi-finals. Branco's strike was somewhat of a surprise. He had come close earlier, but De Goey had always responded well. Although the 5th goal of the half was fantastic, it was also somewhat sad. I really wanted to see 30 extra minutes of play. But I, and the rest of the 70,000 fans inside a sold out Cotton Bowl, knew this was the game-winner...and Brazil was the better team.


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