Brazil Keep Streak Alive With Win Against Croatia
June 13, 2006
In the end it wasn't Brazilian superstars Ronaldo or Ronaldinho who turned the fans whistles and jeers into cheers and songs but the soft-spoken Kaka.
As the only Brazilian player to put in an impressive performance on Tuesday, Kaka ended a frustrating opening period for the five-times winners when he sent a curling left foot drive zipping past helpless goalie Stipe Pletikosa four minutes before the break.
Shortly before the close of the second half he showed his skill with his other foot by firing a snapshot just wide.
Ronaldo, in contrast to Kaka, played a sluggish match, not running at the top of the Selecao offense and registered only one good shot on goal before being taken off in favor of Robinho midway through the second half.
Despite early trickery and industry from Ronaldinho, Croatia were not intimidated and Rangers striker Dado Prso burst down the left before cutting in to send an ambitious effort over Dida's crossbar.
Facing the Brazilian "magic quartet" of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and Adriano, Croatian coach Zlatko Kranjcar fielded a five-man midfield including former Juventus defender Igor Tudor.
The Croatians had to make a change on 40 minutes when skipper Niko Kovac, already booked for a challenge on Kaka, withdrew clutching his chest after a tussle with Adriano, giving way to Jerko Leko as Tudor took the captain's armband.
In an effort to salvage a point on the night, Croatia put on a more offensive style after the break with Darijo Srna and Dado Prso pressing the attack on a often shaky Brazilian defense that looked ready to crack under Dida's unsure goalkeeping.
But neither Prso's tireless drives forward nor Marko Babic straight shot at Dida nor Niko Kranjcar's header over the bar were enough to equalize as Brazil closed the game.