Brazil 4-0 New Zealand - ready for World Cup

Brazil convincingly won their only international World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand in Geneva.



Real Madrid striker Ronaldo struck just before the break to set the world champions on their way against inexperienced opponents in Switzerland.

And the gap in class told in the second half as the All Whites fell away.

Inter Milan striker Adriano doubled the advantage on 51 minutes before AC Milan playmaker Kaka and Juninho Pernambucano of Lyon added late goals.

"The team played well and dominated New Zealand physically in the second half," said coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"But we will need to be better than that at the World Cup. We have things to improve including the ball out of defence and the co-ordination of the four men up front."

Parreira started with his first-choice team and they came close to opening the scoring after just three minutes, but keeper Glen Moss tipped a vicious Roberto Carlos shot wide.

Brazil took time to find their rhythm before creating a flurry of chances that culminated with Ronaldo opening the scoring.

Cafu had a shot blocked by Moss and then fired over after Kaka escaped down the left and sent a pass across the area.

Moss also denied Adriano after Ronaldo and Ze Roberto combined to slice through the New Zealand defence. Kaka then shot wide from the edge of the area.

Ronaldo missed an easy chance when he headed over unmarked after being picked out by Cafu but atoned by opening the scoring from close range after Kaka slipped past two markers.

Ronaldo, playing his 99th match for Brazil, almost added a second minutes later with Kaka again the provider, but his flicked shot past Moss hit the woodwork.

Adriano rifled in the second from the edge of the box and Kaka scored on the break in the 85th minute before substitute Juninho slotted home in injury time.

Moments before the fourth and final goal defender Lucio's powerful header from Robinho's cross-cum-shot was ruled out for offside.

New Zealand's only real chances fell to Hibernian's Chris Killen in the first half and striker Vaughan Coveny, who saw his shot blocked by Lucio when New Zealand were still only a goal down.

It was the fourth match of a European tour for coach Ricki Herbert's team and followed a loss to Hungary, a draw against Estonia and victory over Georgia.

posted by nscafuro @ 7:44 AM