2006 FIFA World Cup Coverage

Brazil perfect, yet not

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 19, 2006

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

A team reckoned to be one of the most talented in the country's unrivaled soccer history again couldn't stage the show everyone expected, but it reached the second round with a shaky 2-0 win Sunday over Australia.

The lack of flair might bother Brazilian fans who expect works of art as well as wins. 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 champions, No.1 in the FIFA rankings, have a perfect record in this tournament and have not allowed a goal.

Laboring throughout, Brazil went ahead in the 49th minute when Adriano whipped a low shot past goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Then a field full of stars hung on for a ninth consecutive World Cup victory, extending their record.

Toward the end, Australia had as many good chances as the heavily favored Brazilians.

Reserve forward Fred scored in the 89th minute to seal victory.

Brazil scored more than in its 1-0 opening victory over Croatia, but this win was at least as lethargic and lacked panache. Two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho was heavily marked. Ronaldo was again substituted late and failed to convert his chances.

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.

France 1, South Korea 1

Failure at the World Cup is getting to the French.

France finally got a goal but blew a lead and is in danger of another early tournament exit. Nine minutes in Thierry Henry scored France's first World Cup goal since 1998, but South Korea's Park Ji-sung tied it in the 81st.

Henry blamed officials for not awarding his team a goal in the first half on Patrick Vieira's header that TV replays appeared to show was over the goal line.

"I find referees are very able at giving out yellow cards, but when you need to make the right decision they are no longer there," Henry said.

South Korea stayed atop Group G with four points. France has two and likely must defeat Togo, perhaps by a lot, to advance.

The French press expressed little sympathy: "Pathetic enough to make you cry," wrote France Soir .

Croatia 0, Japan 0

Offensive ineptitude might lead Japan and Croatia to the same place: home. After a scoreless tie, Croatia is goalless in two games and Japan has one point, and one goal, from two matches.

"We had many chances to win the match," Croatia defender Josip Simunic said. "But we couldn't score a goal."

Not even on a penalty kick.

Diving to his left, Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi batted away Darijo Srna's low drive in the 22nd minute after a takedown Dado Prso by captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in the box.

Croatia's Niko Kranjcar hit the crossbar in the 28th minute and was wide on a shot in the 54th.

[Last modified June 19, 2006, 09:10:23]