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Romario gets down to business

20 November 2006 | 19:45 - AAP

His first visit seemed more about glamour than football but Brazilian legend Romario touched down for his four-game stint with Adelaide United in a far more businesslike manner.

 

A month ago, shortly after 40-year-old Romario had signed with Adelaide to play four matches that would help him in his search for 1000 career goals, he arrived at Adelaide Airport to be greeted by samba drums, dancers and a pack of hungry autograph seekers.

This time, the 1994 World Cup winner and FIFA World Player of the Year recipient was afforded something approaching a low-key entrance, watched by a handful of television cameras and greeted by United chief executive Michael Petrillo.

After collecting his bag, Romario used his improving English to say his aim was simple - to score goals, and hopefully help Adelaide to a quartet of victories in the process.

"I'm fit and I have been working very hard with my training coach and I hope to help create goals," he said.

"I'm focusing on scoring goals here and to help the team win and close the gap on Melbourne.

"I'm focusing on playing the four games, it is very important for me - I hope it will be nice for me and nice for Adelaide."

Over the next month Romario will make his home in a generous apartment in the beachside suburb of Glenelg.

His first training session will be in the weights room at the South Australian Sports Institute on Tuesday, and first game against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday.

That will be followed by three consecutive matches at Hindmarsh Stadium, all of which are expected to sell out.

United has done its best to market one of football's most famous names by selling a "super ticket" that covers all three games.

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