WC2006: Brazil through to next round

Written by , 18.06 20h29

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A well-organised Australian defense frustrated Brazil but failed to prevent the world champions from winning 2-0 and qualifying from the group.

After a tight first half that ended goal-less Brazil sprung into life. Ronaldo took the ball on the left-hand side of the area with three defenders around him he played a square ball, which Adriano struck low into the corner of the net (49th min).

Australia came close to equalizing on several occasion but in the end Brazil finished strongly with Fred tapping home Brazil's second goal (90th min) after Robinho's shot came back off the post.

Brazil's performance improved but Carlos Alberto Parreria will be worried with the amount of chances Australia had and Brazil's difficulty in keeping possession after taking the lead.

He will also have to consider that whilst Ronaldo's performance had improved, Brazil only really came to life with the inclusion of Robinho.

Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Kaka, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano.
Subs: Cicinho, Cris, Fred (88th min on as sub), Gilberto (72min on as sub), Julio Cesar, Juninho, Luisao, Mineiro, Ricardinho, Robinho (72min on as sub), Rogerio, Silva.

Australia: Schwarzer, Moore, Popovic, Neill, Chipperfield, Emerton, Grella, Sterjovski, Cahill, Culina, Viduka.
Subs: Aloisi, Beauchamp, Bresciano, Covic, Kalac, Kennedy, Kewell, Lazaridis, Milligan, Skoko, Thompson, Wilkshire.

Goals: Adriano 49th min and Fred 90th min.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)

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