Brazil beat Japan 4-1 to top World Cup Group F

Brazil finally impressed with a 4-1 superb victory at their last round robin match against Japan here on Thursday and further ensured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup after topping the Group F on 9 points with three wins from as many matches.

The five-time World Cup champions, having been sitting comfortably atop the group with their unspectacular 1-0 win over Croatia and a 2-0 victory over Australia, scored through double-scorer Ronaldo, Juninho Pernambucano and Gilberto to deny an earlier 1-0 lead by Japan, and substituted Kaka and Ronaldinho with 20 minutes remaining.

All-time leading scorer of Brazil Ronaldo thus became the joint highest scorer in World Cup finals history with 14 goals as he scored twice against Japan, alongside Gerd Mueller of Germany.

"Ronaldo has been playing for the good moment. He might not be playing today in the best physical condition, and I hope he'll perform much better and score more goals in next phase," said Brazil's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"I'm very happy I've made such a significant improvement physically and technically during the competition," said Ronaldo.

"Patience is the key word. I managed to stay calm and patient in all the difficult moments," he added.

After Thursday's match, Brazil, who have made appearances in all the past 17 editions of the tournament and won it in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002, extended a winning streak in the World Cup to ten victories.

They will next take Ghana in the first match of next round on Tuesday after the World Cup debutants from West Africa overcame the United States 2-1 earlier on the day to survive the Group E as the runners-up next to Italy.

posted by nscafuro @ 7:49 PM