Brazil is doing all it can to get the spotlight off Ronaldo, hoping to turn its attention to the decisive match against Australia on Sunday.
KOENIGSTEIN: Brazil is doing all it can to get the spotlight off Ronaldo, hoping to turn its attention to the decisive match against Australia on Sunday.
“We need to stop talking about Ronaldo. That’s a problem that’s in the past, just as the match against Croatia is,” Brazil captain Cafu said. “We need to focus on our main goal now, which is the match against Australia.”
Ronaldo has been cleared by doctors to start for Brazil against the Socceroos in Munich despite yet another health scare. The striker was taken to a Frankfurt hospital on Wednesday complaining of dizziness, but results showed nothing wrong and he was given the go-ahead to start.
“We have to stop treating Ronaldo like a child,” midfielder Emerson said. “It’s not like this is his first World Cup.”
The dizzy spell was just the latest problem for Ronaldo since Brazil arrived in Europe for the World Cup three weeks ago.
He arrived admittedly overweight and not in form, and had to cope with a blister on his foot and a mild respiratory infection that forced him to miss practice. Even Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva got involved in the weight controversy.
Then came his dismal opening performance in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Croatia, which prompted Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to take him off in the 69th minute. “Ronaldo can handle the pressure… he knows he wasn’t at his best,” Cafu said. “We need to start talking only about Australia now.” Cafu, trying to reach the competition’s final for a fourth consecutive time, knows Sunday’s match is crucial for Brazil.
A victory will practically secure a spot in the second round, and boost Brazil’s confidence for the remainder of the competition.
Ronaldinho, playing only in his second World Cup but already a world champion, agreed. “We need to keep improving to get to the knockout round at a very good level,” he said. The Barcelona player has had a very successful season, winning the Spanish League and then the Champions League. He wants to win the World Cup with Brazil and make it a triple for himself.
The Australians, which beat Japan 3-1 in their opening Group F match, gained more confidence after watching Brazil’s lackluster debut against the Croats. “The game against Croatia showed that they (Brazil) are vulnerable in places,” Australia captain Mark Viduka said. “I thought Croatia should have got something out of that game. I thought they were the better team.”
The Socceroos may rest four players who received yellow cards, Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, Craig Moore and Vince Grella, to make sure they are available for the final group match against Croatia. Aussies are playing in their first WC since 1974 and are coached by miracle man Guus Hiddink.
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