Nov. 15, 2000 SportsLine.com wire reports

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Brazil beat Colombia 1-0 with an injury time goal by Roque Junior in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday to give new coach Emerson Leao a winning debut.

The AC Milan defender rose to head in a corner in the second minute of injury after Colombia had given Brazil and a 50,000 crowd a frustrating afternoon.

Brazil, missing injured striker Romario, had struggled throughout to breakdown a well-organised Colombian defence as Leao watching helplessly from a television cabin, to which he was banished because of a 20-day touchline ban.

Colombia striker Jairo Castillo was sent off in the 86th minute for retaliation on Cesar Sampaio, who was booked.

Brazil have 20 points from ten games in the South American qualifying group while Colombia were left on fifteen.

Former World Cup goalkeeper Leao took over after Wanderley Luxemburgo was sacked after a series of poor results but for most of the game, the change seemed to make little difference.

Brazil again looked lethargic, unimaginative and disjointed with World Player of the Year Rivaldo again producing another below par performance for his country.

A typically fickle Brazilian crowd jeered their team off at halftime and began chanting "Ole" when the Colombians began stroking the ball around in midfield during the second half.

Rivaldo was singled out for abuse after and in the ten minutes before the goal, protesting fans throw objects onto the field and chanted "useless team."

Colombia, who have changed their style drastically since the last World Cup, gave the Brazilian midfield little space and hassled Rivaldo out of his stride.

Brazil still created several good chances before halftime.

Rivaldo's 25th minute header was acrobatically hooked off the line by Alex Viveros and six minutes later, Franca saw his shot deflected wide after Colombia were caught on the counter- attack.

Brazil goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, a regular free taker at club level, saw his first effort for the national team blocked by a defender in the 35th minute.

Colombia had half chances, the dangerous Castillo wasting one when he failed to control the ball at close range and Juan Pablo Angel missing another when he fired over the crossbar following a corner.

Sao Paulo striker Franca also had Brazil's best second half chance but goalkeeper Miguel Calero, standing in for the suspended Oscar Cordoba, saved the shot with his feet.

Eighteen-year-old striker Adriano was brought on for his international debut 11 minutes from time while Brazil captain Cafu was playing his 100th international, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

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