Brazil finished top of Group D with a blistering 4-1 win over Japan in Dortmund. Two goals from Ronaldo were enough for the Brazilian striker to enter the history books as the joint leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 14 career goals on the biggest stage of them all.
Surprisingly in the game Japan went ahead, sparking panic in the Brazilian ranks. However Gilberto and Juninho added to the early goals from Ronaldo to make the scoreline a resounding one and send Japan home with only one point on the board.
The victory was Brazil’s tenth in a row and put them straight on target to retain the title they claimed four years ago in Tokyo. It also lined up a second round meeting with new boys Ghana in what should be a colourful occasions.
The current champions however started slowly and failed to build many threatening attacks in the early stages, Ronaldo did however have a half chance which was saved by Kawaguchi, whose side looked to cause an upset with their physical and quick passing game.
It was the Asian side who had the better of the possession but the quality of Brazil always looked as if it was going to show through in the end despite their bad start.
Ronaldo again threatened to score before half time as a quick step over after a pass from Ronaldinho opened up some space for the twenty nine year old. His shot was accurately struck but equaled by an excellent save from Kawaguchi in the Japanese goal. Despite having the best two chances, the momentum swung away from Brazil and they were threatened when Japan broke down the right and the ball was despairingly cleared off the line from Gilberto after a deflected cross.
Good work from the defender moments later was not enough to stop Japan from scoring as his clearance was snuffed out by Nakamura and slid through to Tamada who blasted his side in front ten minutes before the break. Some good movement led to the finish by the striker and it was exactly what Japan deserved after holding off what Brazil had to offer before striking themselves into a precious lead.
Unfortunately the glory of the goal did not last long for Japan and in injury time that man Ronaldo bagged his first goal of the tournament with a stooping head. It was a thoroughly deserved goal from the striker who had been labeled ‘unfit’ and ‘past it’ by news outlets all across the World. The close range effort was the perfect way for him to silence his critics and gave Brazil a way back into the game just before the half time whistle.
The second half began with Brazil dominating after their come back in the first period and their intentions were known from the off when Juninho scored a trademark long range effort. The twenty five year driven shot was too hot for the keeper to handle and despite keeping his side in the game with two excellent saves early on, he become the fall guy after letting the shot slip through his fingers.
Brazil were now rampant and there was little to stop them hitting top gear throughout the second half. Gilberto made it three one after being played in down the left and Japan were beaten. The defender’s left foot shot was of great quality and beat the helpless goalkeeper at his far post.
Despite suffering a two goal blow in just under ten minutes, their supporters kept cheering their side on and despite plenty of possession their were made to pay for bad defending once more as Ronaldo managed to find some space on the edge of the box with ten minutes to go, before driving Brazil into a 4-1 lead with a well struck shot into the bottom corner.
The build up was excellent and stereotypically Brazilian with flicks, dummies and movement galore before Ronaldo managed to swivel and force the ball into the net to equal the goals record of Gert Muller to claim his place in the immortal history of the World Cup.
Surprisingly in the game Japan went ahead, sparking panic in the Brazilian ranks. However Gilberto and Juninho added to the early goals from Ronaldo to make the scoreline a resounding one and send Japan home with only one point on the board.
The victory was Brazil’s tenth in a row and put them straight on target to retain the title they claimed four years ago in Tokyo. It also lined up a second round meeting with new boys Ghana in what should be a colourful occasions.
The current champions however started slowly and failed to build many threatening attacks in the early stages, Ronaldo did however have a half chance which was saved by Kawaguchi, whose side looked to cause an upset with their physical and quick passing game.
It was the Asian side who had the better of the possession but the quality of Brazil always looked as if it was going to show through in the end despite their bad start.
Ronaldo again threatened to score before half time as a quick step over after a pass from Ronaldinho opened up some space for the twenty nine year old. His shot was accurately struck but equaled by an excellent save from Kawaguchi in the Japanese goal. Despite having the best two chances, the momentum swung away from Brazil and they were threatened when Japan broke down the right and the ball was despairingly cleared off the line from Gilberto after a deflected cross.
Good work from the defender moments later was not enough to stop Japan from scoring as his clearance was snuffed out by Nakamura and slid through to Tamada who blasted his side in front ten minutes before the break. Some good movement led to the finish by the striker and it was exactly what Japan deserved after holding off what Brazil had to offer before striking themselves into a precious lead.
Unfortunately the glory of the goal did not last long for Japan and in injury time that man Ronaldo bagged his first goal of the tournament with a stooping head. It was a thoroughly deserved goal from the striker who had been labeled ‘unfit’ and ‘past it’ by news outlets all across the World. The close range effort was the perfect way for him to silence his critics and gave Brazil a way back into the game just before the half time whistle.
The second half began with Brazil dominating after their come back in the first period and their intentions were known from the off when Juninho scored a trademark long range effort. The twenty five year driven shot was too hot for the keeper to handle and despite keeping his side in the game with two excellent saves early on, he become the fall guy after letting the shot slip through his fingers.
Brazil were now rampant and there was little to stop them hitting top gear throughout the second half. Gilberto made it three one after being played in down the left and Japan were beaten. The defender’s left foot shot was of great quality and beat the helpless goalkeeper at his far post.
Despite suffering a two goal blow in just under ten minutes, their supporters kept cheering their side on and despite plenty of possession their were made to pay for bad defending once more as Ronaldo managed to find some space on the edge of the box with ten minutes to go, before driving Brazil into a 4-1 lead with a well struck shot into the bottom corner.
The build up was excellent and stereotypically Brazilian with flicks, dummies and movement galore before Ronaldo managed to swivel and force the ball into the net to equal the goals record of Gert Muller to claim his place in the immortal history of the World Cup.