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Last Updated: Oct 24th, 2006 - 17:24:11 |
Ronaldo, Adriano and Kaka each scored and Brazil comfortably defeated New Zealand 4-0 in a World Cup warmup game Sunday, its last match before heading to Germany to defend the world title.
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| Brazil's Ronaldo, right, scores the opening goal against New Zealand's Jeremy Christie, left, and Steve Old, during a test match between the national soccer teams of Brazil and New Zealand, in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday, June 4, 2006, ahead of the World Cup in Gemany. Brazil will play in group F with Croatia, Australia and Japan. New Zealand is not qualified for the World Cup. (AP Photo/Keystone/Martial Trezzini) |
The Brazilians, which also got a goal from substitute Juninho, will begin their quest for a sixth World Cup title against Croatia on June 13 in Berlin.
Playing with its World Cup starters for most of the match, Brazil easily dominated action in front of nearly 30,000 fans at a packed Stade de Geneve.
Ronaldo put Brazil ahead in the 42nd minute with a shot from near the penalty spot. He took a pass from Kaka, who beat a defender on the right flank before sending a low cross into the area.
Adriano added to the lead in the 50th with a left-footer from the top of the box, firing into the upper corner past New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss.
Kaka got his goal on a breakaway in the 85th minute, beating a defender and sending a low cross shot past Moss. Juninho, who replaced Ze Roberto, closed the scoring in second-half injury time with a right-footer from inside the area.
The Brazilians created several scoring opportunities throughout the match, even with defenders Juan, Cafu and Roberto Carlos. Two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano — who make up Brazil's "magic quartet" along with Ronaldo — each had at least one good chance to get on the board.
Ronaldo, playing in his 99th match with Brazil, nearly netted a masterful goal during a breakaway in the 44th, but his chip shot over Moss struck the far post. Ronaldo was substituted at halftime by Real Madrid teammate Robinho.
Defender Lucio scored with a header in the 90th, but the goal was disallowed because of offsides.
New Zealand's only dangerous chances came with a first-half header by Chris Killen, and with a 47th-minute shot by Vaughan Coveny that was blocked.
Brazil, heavily favored to win the tournament, was coming off an 8-0 rout of Swiss club FC Lucerne on Tuesday in Basel, Switzerland. It also trashed Fluminense's under-20 squad 13-1 in a practice match a week ago in Weggis.
Ranked 118 in the world, New Zealand was third in the Oceania World Cup qualifying group, behind Solomon Islands and Australia, which will be one of Brazil's opponents in the second group-stage match.
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