Brazil scored three goals in the first-half and coasted to a comfortable and confident victory over a brave but outmatched Chinese team in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, Korea. Four different scorers - Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo - hit the back of the net for the four-time world champions.
Rivaldo and Ronaldo have scored in both of Brazil’s victories so far. China are now all but mathematically eliminated from their first FIFA World Cup™ finals. As well, Brazil have all but guaranteed their passage from Group C into the second round. China will try to hold onto their slim hopes against Turkey, while Brazil take on Costa Rica on 13 June.
China looked confident in the early going, showing no fear of the mighty Brazilians. The Chinese defended physically and tried to stretch Brazil’s three-man back line out of shape.
But China’s hopes of matching the USA’s quick start against Portugal disappeared when Roberto Carlos struck an amazing 25-metre free kick. The Real Madrid man relied on the power of his left foot, not curling or dipping the ball at all but firing in a straight line to the upper-left corner of the net (1:0, 15’).
Brazil began to control the flow of the game after the goal, with Roberto Carlos and Cafu pushing the ball up the wings. In back, Lucio was in firm control of the proceedings, as he shut down counter-attacks with ease.
Brazil got their second goal after Cafu sent in a right-wing cross that the defence headed out but right to Ronaldinho on the left side. The Paris-SG man served a perfect cross for Rivaldo in the goal area, and he made no mistake from close range (2:0, 32’).
Despite the lead, Brazil kept attacking in their typical fashion, leaving themselves open in back for a great chance that fell to Ma Mingyu, but his shot from 15 metres was deflected out by a defender (37’).
Some nice interplay between Ronaldo and Ronaldinho led to a penalty for Brazil as Ronaldo was pulled down in the area. Ronaldinho stepped up to fire the spot-kick into the lower-left corner (3:0, 45’).
Brazil did not let up in the second half. A long ball out of midfield to Cafu started the sequence that led to the fourth goal. The Roma winger took on two defenders and laid a ball through the goal area for Ronaldo, who scored easily past goalkeeper Jiang Jin (4:0, 55’).
With the big lead Brazil looked relaxed at times. China nearly took advantage when Zhao Junzhe hit the right post from the edge of the area (61’). China again went close on a 10-metre free kick by Shao Jiayi, but Brazil goalkeeper Marcos was able to parry it out for a corner (70’).
Ronaldo seemed certain to have his second goal of the night when he beat two defenders in the area, but Jiang came off his line and made a nice save (72’). That would prove to be Ronaldo’s last action of the night, as Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari brought on Edilson for the Inter striker.
Far from calling off the dogs, Brazil continued to attack. But they would not come close to matching Germany’s eight-goal trouncing of Saudi Arabia, as Ronaldo’s strike would be Brazil’s last.
Rivaldo and Ronaldo have scored in both of Brazil’s victories so far. China are now all but mathematically eliminated from their first FIFA World Cup™ finals. As well, Brazil have all but guaranteed their passage from Group C into the second round. China will try to hold onto their slim hopes against Turkey, while Brazil take on Costa Rica on 13 June.
China looked confident in the early going, showing no fear of the mighty Brazilians. The Chinese defended physically and tried to stretch Brazil’s three-man back line out of shape.
But China’s hopes of matching the USA’s quick start against Portugal disappeared when Roberto Carlos struck an amazing 25-metre free kick. The Real Madrid man relied on the power of his left foot, not curling or dipping the ball at all but firing in a straight line to the upper-left corner of the net (1:0, 15’).
Brazil began to control the flow of the game after the goal, with Roberto Carlos and Cafu pushing the ball up the wings. In back, Lucio was in firm control of the proceedings, as he shut down counter-attacks with ease.
Brazil got their second goal after Cafu sent in a right-wing cross that the defence headed out but right to Ronaldinho on the left side. The Paris-SG man served a perfect cross for Rivaldo in the goal area, and he made no mistake from close range (2:0, 32’).
Despite the lead, Brazil kept attacking in their typical fashion, leaving themselves open in back for a great chance that fell to Ma Mingyu, but his shot from 15 metres was deflected out by a defender (37’).
Some nice interplay between Ronaldo and Ronaldinho led to a penalty for Brazil as Ronaldo was pulled down in the area. Ronaldinho stepped up to fire the spot-kick into the lower-left corner (3:0, 45’).
Brazil did not let up in the second half. A long ball out of midfield to Cafu started the sequence that led to the fourth goal. The Roma winger took on two defenders and laid a ball through the goal area for Ronaldo, who scored easily past goalkeeper Jiang Jin (4:0, 55’).
With the big lead Brazil looked relaxed at times. China nearly took advantage when Zhao Junzhe hit the right post from the edge of the area (61’). China again went close on a 10-metre free kick by Shao Jiayi, but Brazil goalkeeper Marcos was able to parry it out for a corner (70’).
Ronaldo seemed certain to have his second goal of the night when he beat two defenders in the area, but Jiang came off his line and made a nice save (72’). That would prove to be Ronaldo’s last action of the night, as Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari brought on Edilson for the Inter striker.
Far from calling off the dogs, Brazil continued to attack. But they would not come close to matching Germany’s eight-goal trouncing of Saudi Arabia, as Ronaldo’s strike would be Brazil’s last.
