Brazil Still in Second Gear Despite Beating Socceroos 2-0

The second game of the second round in Group F was played in front of many who expected to see a better Brazil compared to the nervous team who struggled to beat Croatia five days ago.

They got what they were hoping for although it was still not the Brazil that most expect.

The first half was a tight affair where Australia impressed more with their successful defense and with their immediate response after the initial fifteen minute onslaught by the Brazilians died out. The Socceroos evened out the game and the number of chances where fairly equally divided through the first half.

The substitutes make a difference

Since both teams had created a handful of chances and half-chances in the first 45 minutes, it became likely that a second goalless match would follow the 0-0 draw between Japan and Croatia earlier in the day.

But three minutes into the second half, the Brazilians managed to trick the Australian defense line into exposing the goal.

Ronaldinho passed the ball from the left side along the boxline to Ronaldo, who after stepping over the ball a couple of times, to show he is still capable of a bit of wizardry, kicked the ball over to a waiting Adriano. The Brazilian striker stopped the ball with his foot before firing home his first World Cup goal.

After the Inter striker had opened the scoring, both teams made substitutions and both teams benefited.

Kewell strengthened the Australian attack and Robinho showed that he needs to be considered for the first line-up as a more penetrative and dangerous striker than Ronaldo, the man he replaced.

Robinho was then deeply involved in the second Brazilian goal. Minutes after Viduka had missed a possible equalizer, Robinho got the ball on the right side of the box and moved in to shoot. His shot hit the post and went straight out to Fred who only needed to put his foot to the ball.

What now for Group F?

After the Brazilian victory, which gives them a full six points after two games, it is a fight between the three other group teams for the second slot in the last sixteen. Australia are two points up and can play Croatia with heads high after a good performance earlier in the day..

The Croatians might start getting a bit nervous wishing they at least had scored a first 2006 World Cup goal against Japan, who on the other hand possibly have the worst deal having to beat Brazil to stay in the Cup. They will face a Brazil who will want to show the world that they can do better than what they've managed so far.