World Cup defending champion and unbeatable Brazil sealed their passage into the second round with an unconvincing 2-0 victory over Group F opponents Australia in Munich.

Inter Milan ace Adriano (49) was given too much space on the edge of the penalty area and he subsequently dispatched a low shot beyond Mark Schwarzer to put the world champions ahead.

And after Australia had threatened to equalise on several occasions, sub Fred tapped home into an empty net on 89 minutes after fellow sub Robinho’s drive crashed off the post.

Brazil were again far from impressive as they racked up a 2-0 triumph – this time against a spirited and well-organised Aussie outfit – to seal their place in the knockout stages.

Brazil’s goal hero against Croatia, Kaka, shot powerfully wide from the edge of the box after cutting in from the right in the opening stages.

Roberto Carlos then hammered a free-kick high and wide after Ronaldo had been clattered by Vince Grella and halfway through the first period Ronaldinho’s flick allowed Ronaldo a shooting chance, but he was snuffed out quickly by Craig Moore’s block.

With 36 minutes on the clock the under-fire frontman kicked fresh air after the ball had fallen to him inside the box and he was booked minutes later after putting the ball into the net after the whistle had already gone for offside.

Moments later Adriano stretched out a leg at the back post but could only guide the ball back across the goal and away to safety as Brazil attempted to get up a head of steam in a largely lifeless first half.

While the half ended with sub Marco Bresciano’s shot dipping over Dida’s crossbar.

But Adriano wasted no time in putting the world champons ahead in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart the striker collected a square ball from Ronaldo on the edge of the box and fired a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner after Scott Chipperfield stood off him.

Sub Harry Kewell wasted a fine chance to equalise within a minute of his introduction on 55 minutes but after Kaka dropped a high ball Kewell inexplicably shot high over the bar.

But Kewell was unlucky midway through the second period when he crashed a long-range shot just over the woodwork.

Dida had to be alert to palm away an acrobatic volley from Bresciano and Kaka saw his header rebound off the woodwork as the game opened up.

A wicked Bresciano free-kick almost produced the unthinkable – an Australian equaliser – but Mark Viduka and Kewell just failed to get a touch.

While seconds later Viduka came even closer when his lob landed on the roof of the net, before Fred rubbed salt into Aussie wounds.

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 19th, 2006 at 2:46 am and is filed under 2010 FIFA World Cup, Australia, Brazil, Soccer News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.