2002 World Cup - Colombia 0 Brazil 0

Brazil started their 2002 World Cup qualification campaign with a 0-0 draw in Bogota against Colombia.

The build up to Brazil's first World Cup preliminary match since 1993 was marred by several injuries to coach Wanderley Luxemburgo's first choice squad including the loss of Rivaldo. An angry Luxemburgo has already blamed European clubs for injuries to his top players citing the long term injury to star striker Ronaldo and will quit the national team job at the end of this campaign in the 2002 World Cup.

Brazil are expected to qualify for the finals in Japan and South Korea and this point away from home at least gives them a solid start.

The visitors edged the play throughout the game with long spells of domination but did not really convince as an atacking force.

Colombia themselves are also likely to figure in the chase for qualification places and could have won the game after only 11 minutes when River Plate star Juan Pablo Angel launched a dipping and swerving shot at the Brazilian net that left goalkeeper Dida off his line but Brazil's luck held as the shot drifted just wide.

Angel is a target for several Italian clubs including Fiorentina and SS Lazio but he was unable to repeat that moment of inspiration again in the game.

Roberto Carlos had the best chance for Brazil in the 25th minute when his powerful free kick only missed the target by a few inches but the pressure they created in the second half when Colombia were pinned back failed to get them shots on target.