Soccer-Romario stuck on 999 as Vasco lose to 2nd division team

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 4 (Reuters) - Former Brazil striker Romario was left stuck on a career total of 999 goals on Wednesday after failing to score in Vasco da Gama's Copa Brasil tie against second division Gama.

To add insult to injury, Gama scored with the last kick of the game to win 2-1 and knock Vasco out of the tournament to the astonishment of the crowd who had turned up expecting to celebrate Romario's 1,000th goal.

The Copa Brasil second round second leg tie had been switched to the Maracana stadium especially for Romario to try and emulate Pele, who also scored his 1,000th goal at the famous arena in 1969.

Instead, Gama stole the show as they won 4-3 on aggregate while the 41-year-old former Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven striker barely touched the ball.

Rodrigo Ninja gave the visitors the lead in the second minute, scoring with a 30-metre shot which bounced in front of Cassio and flew into the net.

Renato headed Vasco level in the 16th minute, a result which would have sent them through on away goals.

But Vasco struggled to create openings and Romario, who appeared off the pace in the second half as he played 90 minutes for the third time in 10 days, did not have a real chance.

The crowd were already frustrated when Marcelo Uberaba sent a 30-metre free kick flying into the top corner of Cassio's goal to give Gama victory.