Brazil:Dida, Cafu, Carlos, Juan, Lucio, Ze Roberto, Emerson(Silva 72), Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo(Robinho 72), Adriano(Fred 88)

Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore(Aloisi 69), Popovic(Bresciano 40), Chipperfield, Sterjovski, Emerton, Culina, Grella, Cahill(Kewell 56), Viduka

Match Report: After both these sides won their opening games a win here would guarantee progression into the next phase. It was hard to see anything other than a Brazil victory, but if Australia could transfer the same spirit from their first game, anything was possible.

An early indication of intent came from Brazil when Lucio's ball into the edge of the Aussie box was deftly flicked by Ronaldo over his own head for Kaka to volley just wide of the goal. Kaka then had a surge through the middle which was snuffed out by Australia retreating in numbers.

Viduka had a shot from distance that located the keeper, but Australia were finding space and were winning good second ball in a very determined manner. The Astute Socceroos manager Hiddinck had packed the midfield with 5, and this seemed to negate much of the Brazil attacking play but limited the support to Viduka who was prety much alone up front.

An bad early foul by Grella on Ronaldo, where the Brazilians shin was raked with studs, went unpunished by the referee, who would not have the greatest of games.

Brazil continued to attempt to pass the ball around and work an opportunity, but the Aussies certainly weren't going to allow that. Culina and Grella were menacingly in to the tackle early, and Cahill, Emerton and Chipperfield joined in when required too. Brazil were clearly put out of their stride.

Brazil were limited to half chances - Carlos blasting well over for the first time after 20 minutes. I lost count of how many others he blasted over during the rest of the game.

Lucas Neill made a fine saving tackle on Ronaldinho when he threatened to break his shackles for the first time. Then Ronaldinho tripped himself up when trying a trick in the box. The time on the ball that the Brazilians normally have to themselves was being denied them today.

A good move by Australia should have had a better result when Culina shot directly at the keeper from central when Emerton was overlapping from the right, and if spotted would have had a free run on goal.

Then back at the other end, a neat flick by Ronaldinho almost got Ronaldo a goal out of nothing. His volley was blocked by Neill throwing himself in harms way. The game was beginning to open up.

Back up the Brazilian end of the pitch, Sterjovski found himself in acres of space on the left and was seemingly going to cross to Viduka in the box when he let the ball run into touch. Apparently he heard a whistle and stopped playing, but the whistle had come from the crowd and not the referee. A chance wasted.

Ronaldo then had his best chance of the half when a ball dropped for him to volley. His air shot only served to amuse the crowd.

Popovic, who had looked solid at the back for Australia was injured with 5 minutes to go to half time and couldn't carry on. He was replaced by Breschiano.

A couple more half chances came before the end as Viduka stole a ball from Lucio in the Brazil area, but turned to find no support arriving. Ronaldo then put a shot wide after a neat back heel from Adrianio, and Bresciano went closest of all with a fierce dipping shot that had Dida beaten, but landed on top of the net.

Half Time: Brazil 0 Australia 0

Satisfied by their early efforts, the Australians were hopeful of a repeat performance in the second half but had their hopes dented within five minutes by a good Brazil goal.

Ronaldinho for once found a good pass to find Ronaldo on the left side of the box, with three defenders in close attendance, and his back to goal Ronaldo held the ball well then squared for Adriano who refused the first time strike, but took a touch and then powered a low shot into the corner just past Schwarzer's despairing dive. Chipperfield, defending, should have got much closer to deny Adriano that first touch.

It was always going to be difficult for Australia to overturn any Brazilian lead, but to be fair to them, they did set about trying to do so.

Soon after, Bresciano was freed down the left and with no defender near he looked certain to get into the box and score, until he hesitated momentarily and Ze Roberto hurtled back to make a saving tackle.

Sterjovski then had a good effort which drifted over, and Kewell came on for Cahill and became instantly involved for Australia. Dida failed to deal with a cross under pressure from Viduka and the ball fell to Kewell with an open goal begging. Kewell snatched his shot, when he should have buried it.
Australia would not get a better chance.

Kewell looked very lively down the left and Brazil certainly did not like him running at them. Ze Roberto again was called into action to rob Kewell in the danger zone. After reaching the by line on a couple of occasions to supply crosses, Kewell then got another chance at glory. This time his early taken shot just looped over the bar from fully 30 yards. Dida again looked beaten if the ball had been on target.

This signalled the end of Australia's best period of pressure, and Brazil now edged the possession, but the Aussies would remain dangerous on the counter. Kaka made a good interception and Robinho who had just been brought on for Ronaldo fired off a quick shot.

Robinho had just the same sort of impact on the game as Kewell had done, getting involved in everything for Brazil and looking very sharp and dangerous. A short corner from Carlos was volleyed low and hard by Robinho only to be saved by Schwarzers feet.

At the other end a mishit volley by Bresciano again had Dida scrambling, and then a free kick almost brought an equaliser. Bresciano, again the dead ball taker floated a cross in from the right side which Viduka just helped on, only to slide agonisingly wide with Kewell unable to get there in time to put it away. So close.
Moments later Viduka almost capitalised when he lobbed the outrushing Dida, for his effort to go agonisingly over. Just not their day.

Robinho finally ended Australia's hopes in the last minute of normal time when his powerful right foot strike beat Schwarzer at his near post and rolled out to the grateful Fred to sidefoot home. Brazil almost got a third when Fred set up Kaka who placed his effort well wide.

Brazil had done their job. Not in the Brazilian style, but in qualification the style really does not matter that much.

Full Time: Brazil 2 Australia 0

Brazil Ratings: Dida 2, Cafu 5, Carlos 5, Juan 4, Lucio 5, Ze Roberto 7, Emerson 6(Silva 5), Ronaldinho 6, Kaka 7, Ronaldo 5(Robinho 7), Adriano 5(Fred 5)
Cards: Yellow: Cafu, Ronaldo, Robinho
Goals: Adriano, Fred

Australia Ratings: Schwarzer 5, Neill 6, Moore 4(Aloisi 5), Popovic 5(Bresciano 7), Chipperfield 4, Sterjovski 6, Emerton 6, Culina 6, Grella 5, Cahill 5(Kewell 7), Viduka 6

Referee: M.Merk (Germany) 2. A terrible performance in the first half. Seemed to miss the important things and got really petty with very minor incidents. Was better in the second half, but only barely.

Good: Robinho looks to be a real handful. The sooner Brazil use him properly, the better their chances will be.

Bad: We knew Brazil's keeper Dida wasn't up to much, but he really is crap. Anyone who plays them in the knockout stages just needs to get plenty of shots at him.

Ugly: Grella's foul on Ronaldo. A nasty one that could quite easily have been a sending off.