News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » Sports » Brazil overpower Bolivia

Brazil overpower Bolivia

September 06, 2004 11:13 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were both on target as Brazil powered to a 3-1 win over Bolivia in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Bolivia fielded four defenders and four defensive midfielders in an attempt to keep the world champions at bay but their plans were shattered as Brazil romped to a 2-0 lead in only 13 minutes.

Adriano, who scored seven goals in the Copa America football tournament when Ronaldo was rested, added the third just before halftime.

Bolivia brought on even more defenders after the break and pulled one back through midfielder Luis Cristaldo while their goalkeeper Leo Fernandez pulled off several world class saves to deny Brazil further goals.

Brazil went back to the top of the 10-nation South American group with 16 points from eight games while Bolivia stayed bottom with six.

"It was a good result and an excellent performance," said Ronaldo.

Bolivia have conceded 11 goals in their previous two visits to Brazil and were quickly in trouble as they left Ronaldo unmarked to fire home from close range after only 55 seconds, his seventh goal of the qualifiers.

The visitors were in further trouble when Cristaldo upended Roque Junior in the penalty area and Ronaldinho fired home from the spot in the 13th minute.

Brazil turned on the style to the delight of the 72,000 crowd, Ronaldinho firing over in the 26th minute after a flowing move down the right.

Sometimes too clever for their own good, Brazil added a third before halftime when Adriano outjumped the defence for his first goal of the qualifiers.

Brazil enjoyed less freedom after halftime as wingback Percy Colque was replaced with the more defensive Ruben Tufino and Luis Gatti Ribero was substituted by central defender Ronald Arana.

Bolivia reduced the deficit in the 49th minute when Cristaldo, a survivor from Bolivia's last World Cup appearance in 1994, shot from the edge of the area with the ball deflecting off a defender and left goalkeeper Julio Cesar wrong-footed.

Juninho Pernambucano was narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area and Bolivia goalkeeper Leo Fernandez saved from Ronaldo with his legs as Brazil pressed for a fourth.

Gilberto Silva had the ball in the Bolivia net in the 90th minute but his effort was disallowed because of pushing by Roque Junior.

 

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25