Brazil Wins 2-0, Advances
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 many have been expecting but still advanced to the second round with a shaky 2-0 victory Sunday over Australia at Munich, Germany.
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.
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Japan 0, Croatia 0 -- Offensive ineptitude might lead Japan and Croatia to the same place -- home from the World Cup.
Neither could find the net in a draw at Nuremberg. Croatia is scoreless in two games, and Japan had one goal in a loss to Australia.
It’s not nearly enough.
“If we weren’t getting our opportunities, I’d be worried, but that’s not the case,” Japan Coach Zico said. “We’re almost there at the goalmouth, but didn’t get it in.”
Neither did Croatia.
“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, Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi stopped Darijo Srna’s low drive in the 22nd minute after a takedown in the area of Dado Prso by Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
Both teams had numerous opportunities to win the Group F match, but solid goalkeeping left each with only one point with one match remaining.
Japan faces defending champion Brazil in its final match. To have any chance of advancing to the round of 16, Japan must beat the defending champions -- something it has never done.
Croatia plays Australia.
