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| June 13, 2006 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1427 |
Spotlight on Ronaldo as champions enter fray
BERLIN, June 12: Brazil striker Ronaldo gets his first chance to show he is still up to the task as the world champions enter the fray against Croatia on Tuesday. Brazil, unbeaten in their last 10 outings, have won their opening match at every World Cup since 1982 and are hot favourites to keep up their record in the Group F game.
“Ninety-nine percent of the world is saying Brazil are favourites. A draw would be a success,” Croatia midfielder Igor Tudor told reporters after being named in the team on Sunday. “It would be a sensation if we won.”
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, with an embarrassing array of riches at his command, confidently named his starting lineup for the game on May 3 and included all his top names.
They include the so-called Magic Quartet of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano and Kaka.
Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar, whose team got a 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil in Split last August, had no surprises up his sleeve with a team that includes Tudor in a five-man midfield.
The were few dissenting voices with Parreira's choice either but if there is one player who needs to prove he still deserves his place it is Ronaldo.
The 2002 World Cup's top scorer has had a frustrating season with Real Madrid, punctuated by minor injuries and marked by his deteriorating relationship with the fans.
His last competitive game was on April 8, when he limped out of the 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad with a thigh injury.
The forward has become exasperated at speculation he is struggling to control his waistline and took exception when Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked if he was fat.
On Friday, he received a letter of apology from Brasilia.
His preparations have also been hampered by blisters on his feet and a brief sinus infection, which have forced him to miss training.
Ronaldo, who scored in the 4-0 win over New Zealand on June 4 before the blisters forced him out of the match, went into the last World Cup on the back of even bigger doubts after two knee operations and intends to bounce back in style again this time.With Robinho waiting eagerly in the wings, the pressure is most definitely on.
“I've done well in training, I feel ready for the start and I think I will better as the competition goes on,” said Ronaldo.
Brazil, whose last defeat by a European side was against Portugal in a friendly over three years ago, have no injuries or suspensions as they bid for a record sixth world title.
Croatia appear to hold out little hope of an upset and are pinning their hopes on winning their other group games.
“We've said we're focusing on the games against Japan and Australia. Brazil are five-time champions. We have nothing to lose. The key game will be against Japan,” said Kranjcar.
Croatia will be missing striker Ivica Olic with a thigh strain so Ivan Krasnic joins Dado Prso in attack.
Teams:
BRAZIL (4-4-2): 1-Dida; 2-Cafu, 3-Lucio, 4-Juan, 6-Roberto Carlos; 5-Emerson, 11-Ze Roberto, 8-Kaka, 10-Ronaldinho; 9-Ronaldo, 7-Adriano.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
CROATIA (3-4-1-2): 1-Stipe Pletikosa; 7-Dario Simic, 4-Robert Kovac, 3-Josep Simunic; 2-Darijo Srna, 5-Igor Tudor, 10-Niko Kovac, 8-Marko Babic; 19-Niko Kranjcar; 17-Ivan Klasnic, 9-Dado Prso.
Coach: Zlatko Kranjcar.
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).—Reuters
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