Parreira joins criticism of Portugal win

BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany, June 26 (Reuters) Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has joined the criticism of the stormy Portugal-Netherlands World Cup tie, saying that no football had been played in yesterday's game.

''It's an example to be rejected,'' said Parreira today.

''We came here to see football. Instead there were 16 yellow cards, four red cards and I don't think the ball was in play for more than 30 minutes.

''It was a very hard-fought game but the referee didn't curb the excesses of the players and there was no football.

''It was not the ideal game for the World Cup and we hope this will not happen again in the future.'' VIOLENT PLAY Portugal, coached by Parreira's compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari who guided Brazil to victory in the last World Cup, won Sunday night's explosive second-round tie 1-0 in a game littered with violent play and gamesmanship.

In contrast, Parreira's own team have been one of the best disciplined in the competition, receiving five yellow cards in their three first round games and committing six fouls in last week's 4-1 win over Japan.

''Our football has always won the World Cup technical quality, not violence,'' said Parreira. ''We hope the referees stop the violence and the anti-football, we want to see clean games.'' Brazil, defending the title they won in Japan and South Korea four years ago, face Ghana in their second-round tie in Dortmund tomorrow.

They could face Portugal in the semi-finals if both sides keep winning.

Reuters SB RS2345