Romario waits on 999

Written by Nicholas Savage , 02.04 10h39

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Nearly 60,000 people came to Maracana to try to witness Romario's coveted 1,000th goal, but the celebrations were put on hold for another match.

The best chance came in the 42nd minute, but his shot from the top of the area was weak and easily saved by Botafogo goalkeeper Julio Cesar. The pressure appeared to be getting to Romario.

He tried again with a free kick in the 47th, sending a low shot wide of the net, and had another good chance in the 54th, when he entered the area free from markers but his low left-footer struck the outside of the net.

"The greatest player of all time needed four or five matches to score his goal, this was only my second chance," Romario said. "I'll keep playing and waiting for the opportunity to get mine." Romario said after the game.

Vasco next play on Wednesday against Gama at Vasco's Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro. He said all along that he wants to reach the mark at Maracana, the same place where Pele scored his 1,000th in 1969.

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