Brazil - 4 New Zealand - 0: First it was his knee, then his extra pounds - now the health issue facing Ronaldo is the five blisters on his feet he picked up in Geneva last night. The Real Madrid striker said he played the last 10 minutes of the first half in excruciating pain running on the tips of his toes and straining his calf muscles and asked to be taken off for the second half.
"It could have been the shoes, it could have been the hard pitch, I don't know what it was," he said. "There was no way I could continue. We'll be trying to solve this little problem." He added he hoped he would be better for Brazil's World Cup opener against Croatia tomorrow week.
Even though he was in difficulties, Ronaldo opened the scoring for Brazil three minutes before the end of the first half after receiving the ball from Kaka on the right.
New Zealand succeeded in delaying the inevitable onslaught until the second half, when the World Cup holders took control. Had it not been for goalkeeper Glen Moss the score could have been much more. In total Brazil attempted 28 shots on goal.
"I think we played with happiness," said Roberto Carlos. "I think it was a good victory. It was a good test. Australia (Brazil's second opponents in Group F) play like this - defensively - and if we keep our concentration we shouldn't have any problems."
Brazil's second-half substitutions made the game flow faster. Robinho was instantly active and in the 51st minute passed to Adriano to score. In midfield Kaka outshone Ronaldinho, who seemed unable to gel with the rest of the team. Kaka scored after a fine run through the defence and was a constant threat.
Gilberto Silva and Juninho Pernambucano replaced Emerson and Ze Roberto in the second half, and in the closing minutes the Lyon playmaker hit Brazil's fourth.
Guardian Service
BRAZIL: Dida, Juan, Lucio, Cafu (Cicinho 76), Carlos (Juninho 65), Ze Roberto (Gilberto 65), Kaka, Emerson (Silva 65), Ronaldinho (Ricardinho 75), Adriano, Ronaldo (Robinho 46). Subs not used: Rogerio, Julio Cesar, Cris, Fred, Luisao, Mineiro. Goals: Ronaldo 43, Adriano 51, Kaka 86, Juninho 90.
NEW ZEALAND: Moss, Old, Hay (Bunce 45), Mulligan (Smith 61), Vicelich, Bertos (James 86), Christie (Brown 65), Coveny (Brockie 75), Hickey, Bouckenooghe, Killen, Bunce (De Gregorio 81). Subs not used: Nicholson, Wilson, Webster, Barron.
Referee: Jerome Laperriere (Switzerland)
