June 18, 2006
"A" FOR EFFORT
Socceroos go all-out in 2-0 loss to Brazil

By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor

Munich, Germany -- Two games, three goals, two victories.

While many National Teams would be happy with that kind of production at the World Cup, you know the fans of the Brazilian side cannot be satisfied with the way their team looks and scores in the past week.

Being five-time World Cup champions does bring high expectations for Brazil, which defeated Australia, 2-0, in a Group F match to clinch a second-round berth at Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

The Brazilians defeated Croatia in its first game, 1-0.

In fact, one of the highlights of the match was by Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, who denied Marco Bresciano’s spectacular volley from point-blank range in the 80th minute before a sold-out crowd of 66,000.

Ronaldo, who has spurred interest by the New York Red Bulls, took on the uncustomary role as playmaker on Brazil’s first goal in the 49th minute. Ronaldo brought the ball into the top part of the penalty area and sent Adriano the ball at the top right. The 24-year-old Adriano then tucked an 18-yard shot into the right side of the goal.

Fred, who had just come on for Adriano in the 88th minute, provided an insurance tally a minute later, putting in a rebound of a shot that richocheted off the right post.

Brazil had the first serious chance in the 11th minute after it was awarded a free kick some 22 yards out on the right side after Vince Grella took down Ronaldo. The South Americans tried to do something different on the ensuing free kick as Ronaldinho tapped the ball toward Kaka, who then tapped it to Roberto Carlos. His attempt sailed wide left.

Some six minutes later, a minor commotion in the lower stands behind the Australia team bench occurred when the great Diego Maradona took his seat. Many fans forgot about the game on the field and either took pictures or stared at the hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph.

Though there are no smoking rules in stadiums during the competition, the defiant Maradona puffed on a cigar during the remainder of the first half. Maradona left at halftime, as dozen of fans crowded around him, trying to take one special and precious photo.

As for the game, the Brazilians had problems breaking through the Australians' defense as the Aussies had as many as eight or nine men behind the ball. Brazil's inability to put some decent attempts on goal forced coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to come to his coaching box to either give instructions or implore his team on. Parreira is a former MetroStars coach, having directed the MLS team in 1997.

Ronaldo had a relatively silent opening half. His most interesting and confounding contribution to the match was a rather ill-advised yellow card he incurred in the 31st minute.

German assistant referee Christian Schraer called the Brazilians offside. Ronaldo, however, continued and shot the ball into the net. Schraer booked the Brazilian forward.

Six minutes later, Ronaldo miskicked a nine-yard shot in the area that was a combination of comedy and sadness.

The Australians had a couple of medium-range shots in the opening half that were hardly dangerous.

Forward Mark Viduka fired a 22-yard shot to Dida in the fifth minute and Jason Culina took a 24-yard shot that also went directly to the goalkeeper in the 25th minute.

The Aussies, however, nearly equalized on a Dida blunder in the 57th minute. Dida tried to go after a pop-up in the penalty area. Dida dropped the ball about 12 yards out as Harry Kewell fired a shot that traveled wide left.

Kewell, however, was far from finished. He launched a 30-yard effort while on a break that sailed just over the crossbar.