Veteran Brazilian striker Romario Farias of Vasco da Gama celebrates after scoring during their Taca Rio soccer match against Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro yesterday. (Source: Shanghai Daily) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 26 -- The celebration prepared for Romario's coveted 1,000th career goal will remain on hold, the Associated Press reported.

    The veteran striker scored a goal in Vasco's 3-0 win over rival Flamengo, but still was one short of the milestone at Maracana stadium Sunday.

    Romario, who has 999 goals according to his count, was hoping to reach the mark at Maracana, the same place where Pele reached his thousand in 1969.

    "I had hoped the stage for the goal would be here at Maracana," Romario said. "But if it comes at another place it will be valid too. What will matter the most is the goal, not where it happens."

    Romario's next chance for the milestone will be Wednesday against Americano at Vasco's Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

    The 41-year-old Romario says he will be only the second player to achieve the mark, along with Pele.

    The hype surrounding the goal attracted nearly 45,000 to Maracana, but Romario failed to live up to expectations.

    He had a discreet performance in the first half, having only one shot on goal, a free kick from the top of the area blasted over the crossbar. Romario improved slightly in the second half, however, and had more chances to score.

    He scored his 999th goal in the 68th minute, firing from inside the area. He had a clear chance for the 1,000th with three minutes remaining, but Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno saved his close-range shot.

    Striker Leandro Amaral put Vasco ahead with a one-timer from close range in the 42nd minute, and midfielder Abedi added to the lead in the 48th.

    Flamengo, the Guanabara Cup winner, played a man down after the 58th when defender Leonardo Moura was sent off for a hard foul. Flamengo midfielder Renato August was ejected in injury time, also because of a hard tackle.

    Although the milestone is widely expected across Brazil, many soccer experts and local media are dubious because Romario counts 71 goals scored as a teenager and as an amateur, and numerous others were scored in scrimmages and unofficial matches against small clubs, all of which normally wouldn't be considered in official statistics.

    In addition, his list of goals had to be revised several times because he initially counted goals scored in matches that never happened and in games that ended 0-0.

    The mark is not recognized by FIFA, which says it only counts goals scored in official competitions.

    Pele, who according to FIFA accumulated 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, scored his 1,000th goal as a 29-year-old, still in his prime.