SPORTS> Stars
Robinho relaxes on beach after Brazil's tortuous journey
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-14 09:42

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil cancelled a planned training session on Monday after an exhausting journey back from their World Cup qualifier in Venezuela which started with a three-hour bus journey along twisting mountain roads.


Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar (R) talks with two women as striker Robinho (L) talks on a mobile phone at Vidigal beach in Rio de Janeiro October 13, 2008. Brazil will play against Colombia in a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match on October 15 in Rio de Janeiro.[Agencies] 

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and forward Robinho headed for the beach in front of the team hotel in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil, who face Colombia on Wednesday, were given the rest of the day off.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on its website (www.cbf.com.br) that the journey back from San Cristobal in western Venezuela took nearly 15 hours after Sunday's game which they won 4-0.

Brazilian media said problems began when the airport nearest to San Cristobal, from where Brazil were due to fly to Maracaibo for a connecting charter flight, was closed due to bad weather.

The squad was then driven for three hours over mountain roads to Merida, arriving at the airport at around midnight, only to be told that their plane was still in Caracas.

After a long delay during which they were served ham sandwiches and fizzy drinks in plastic cups, the squad were flown to Maracaibo and then on to Rio.