Ronaldo ties record as Brazil floor Japan

DORTMUND, June 23: Brazil striker Ronaldo equalled Gerd Mueller's World Cup finals record of 14 goals, scoring twice in the 4-1 win over Japan in Group F.

Ronaldo moved alongside the former West Germany striker when he grabbed his second goal of the game for the champions in the 81st minute yesterday.

Japan, coached by former Brazil captain Zico, took a shock lead through Keiji Tamada in the 34th minute before Ronaldo, heavily criticised for his performances in Brazil's first two games, equalised in first-half injury time.

Second-half goals from Juninho Pernambucano, Gilberto and Ronaldo again allowed Brazil to finish the group with maximum points and complete their 10th successive win at the World Cup finals.

Brazil face Ghana in the last 16 while Japan, with one point, were knocked out.

''I'm very happy I've made such a significant improvement physically and technically during the competition,'' Ronaldo told reporters.

''Patience is the key word. I managed to stay calm and patient in all the difficult moments.'' Ronaldo kept his place when coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made five changes to his team.

For the first 20 minutes Brazil's football flowed for the first time in the tournament as they sliced through the Japan defence.

Only goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi stood between the rampant champions and a significant lead.

Kawaguchi turned away two efforts from Ronaldo and one each from Robinho, Kaka and Juninho.

But Brazil left gaps at the back and Japan took advantage when Alex slipped the ball inside to Tamada, who fired past Dida with a first-time shot on the turn.

It was the first goal Brazil had conceded in seven internationals, the last being against Bolivia last October.

Brazil were knocked out of their stride but levelled out of the blue.

Ronaldinho's diagonal pass found Cicinho, he headed across goal and the unmarked Ronaldo nodded home.

Juninho put Brazil ahead with a dipping 30-metre effort which went through Kawaguchi's hands in the 53rd minute.

In the 59th minute, Ronaldinho produced a slide-rule pass for Gilberto to break down the left and place the third past Kawaguchi.

Ronaldo made it 4-1 when he swivelled before curling in a shot from the edge of the box.

Japan's Brazilian coach Zico said: ''It's a very disappointing result to take but the way we lost the first game against Australia shows what a tough business football can be.''

REUTERS

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