World Cup: Brazil Hangs on to Beat Australia 2-0

Two matches into this World Cup, Brazil is still searching for its samba.

Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira Photo Courtesy: Ernesto Rodriquez/AE

MUNICH, Germany - A team reckoned to be one of the most talented in the country's unrivaled soccer history again couldn't stage the show everyone has been expecting, but still advanced to the second round with a shaky 2-0 win Sunday over Australia.

The lack of flair may bother Brazilian fans who expect not just wins but works of art. It doesn't bother coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"We are in the round of 16," Parreira said. "The importance of this match was to guarantee our participation in the (next round)."

The five-time champion and current No. 1 in FIFA rankings hasn't been eliminated in the first round since the 1966 tournament. Brazil also hasn't scored as few as three goals in its first two World Cup matches since the 1990 tournament in Italy, when Argentina eliminated its South American rival in the second round.

Sunday's game started slowly.

Tied at halftime and laboring throughout the match, Brazil went ahead in the 49th minute when Adriano whipped a low shot past Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Then the team with a field full of stars hung on for its record ninth consecutive World Cup victory.

Toward the end, Australia had as many good chances as the heavily favored Brazilians. Goalkeeper Dida was tested repeatedly, and only a great save and several shots just off target kept the Australians off the scoreboard.

In the end it was Brazil that got the late score when reserve forward Fred knocked a rebound into an empty net. Brazil ended with one goal more than its 1-0 opening match victory over Croatia. But this win was at least as lethargic and lacked panache.

After an unremarkable first half, Adriano unloaded a left-footed shot from the top of the penalty area after clearing a defender. The ball in the net, he was joined by his teammates in a "rocking the baby" celebration — his son, Adriano Junior, was born in Brazil on Friday.

Ronaldo, who improved slightly from his dismal performance in the opener, set up Adriano with a pass across the box. Though Brazil's fans chanted "Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo" whenever the striker made a play, he again was replaced in the second half by Robinho.

It was the lithe Robinho who struck the shot in the 89th minute that hit the post and rebounded directly in front of Fred, who had come on just one minute earlier for Adriano.

"This is an incredible debut in the World Cup. I couldn't have expected something like this," Fred said. "I am going to give this ball as a present to my father."

The Brazilians were hoping to redeem themselves against Australia and prove they are still worthy of the hype. But except for Adriano, Brazil saw its "magic quartet" held in check for the second straight game.

Two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho was heavily marked from the beginning and couldn't get any of his moves to work. Ronaldo was more active than in his first match, participating in more plays and creating scoring chances.

"I'm happy with my improvement and with the national team's victory," Ronaldo said.

But he still was far from the Ronaldo who led Brazil to its fifth title in 2002 with eight goals in seven matches. He misplayed easy balls and was late getting to some passes.

"We kept him (Ronaldo) quiet, which was great," said defender Lucas Neill. "Ronaldinho didn't really hurt us, Kaka was huffing and puffing. But overall I think it was just two lapses in concentration."

Fred credited the competition.

"The difficulties we have faced are caused not only by our kind of play, but also by the high quality of our rivals," Fred added. "They close very well in defense when we attack."

The coach said he was satisfied with the team's progress.

"The team improved compared to the other match," Parreira said. "Brazil had the patience necessary to wait for the moment to decide the match."

Back home, fans weren't overwhelmed.

"This just wasn't a convincing win," said Fabian Yaksic, who nonetheless cheered and danced in Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city.

The Australians, playing in their first World Cup since 1974, gave Brazil fits for much of the second half.

Orchestrating the attack, captain Mark Viduka nearly tied it in the 86th minute, but his chip over Brazil goalkeeper Dida missed just high.

Dida also had a great diving save in the 79th on a side volley by substitute midfielder Marco Bresciano. Harry Kewell missed the open net in the 57th after Dida failed to hold onto a high ball inside the area.

After an opening 3-1 win against Japan, the Socceroos' performance had the look of a team that belongs in the second round. A win against Croatia on Thursday would get them there.

Coach Guus Hiddink spoke proudly of his players, saying they had forced the world champions to play on the counterattack.

"The morale is very high," he said of his team.

It was Brazil's fourth win in six matches against the Australians. The Socceroos defeated Brazil 1-0 the last time they met, in the 2001 Confederations Cup in South Korea when Brazil fielded second-stringers. Australia also played Brazil to a 0-0 draw in 1997.

Brazil captain Cafu played in his 18th World Cup match, tying a national record held by Dunga and Taffarel. With 14 victories, Cafu has already won more World Cup matches than any other Brazilian, and has played a record 148 games for his country. He has lost only 19 of those matches.

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