Brazil rely on toil as much as style

Brazil's 2-0 victory over Australia on Sunday, securing their place in the last 16 of the World Cup, was as notable for dogged persistence as it was for artistry.

Not until Ronaldo set up the first goal for Adriano in the 49th minute did the champions begin to show any of their usual verve or confidence.

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Brazil then showed flashes of the attacking flair absent in the early exchanges against Australia and throughout the 1-0 win over Croatia in their opening Group F game.

Stifled in midfield by Australia coach Guus Hiddink's decision to play 4-5-1, the five-times winners had been frustrated, collecting two first-half cautions and appearing to run out of ideas before the interval.

Tough, bold and sticking to an effective plan, Australia enjoyed plenty of possession as Brazil toiled to find inspiration.

Ronaldinho, shackled by Brett Emerton, was rarely able to conjure chances.

The Australians were quick and strong in the tackle but hardly the rugged physical opponents the Latin Americans feared.

German referee Markus Merk gave Brazil's players generous protection, too, with several decisions upsetting Australian fans.  

PERPLEXED PERREIRA

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, agitated on the touchline, looked perplexed and shrugged as Hiddink stood 20 metres away and pondered his next move like a chess grand master.

Three-times former World Player of the Year Ronaldo, mocked by the Australian fans for his clumsy errors in the opening period, produced one flash of skill four minutes into the second half to effectively settle the outcome.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he did two of his famous step-overs, momentarily mesmerising Emerton and Lucas Neill before passing square to co-striker Adriano.

Adriano stepped inside Scott Chipperfield and his left-foot drive was low, fast and too accurate for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Substitute Fred, who came on for Adriano in the 88th minute, made it 2-0 a minute later by tucking the ball in after a shot by Robinho rebounded off a post.

Kaka also hit the bar for Brazil with a header from a Ronaldinho corner as Brazil turned on the style in the last 20 minutes.

Robinho had come on to inject pace and trickery, causing problems to Australia's rearguard.  

Hiddink had a livewire substitute of his own in Harry Kewell.

The striker twice went close to breaking through for the Socceroos, once with a dipping long-range drive and also missing with an empty net gaping.

The win extended Brazil's unbeaten run to 12 internationals and their record World Cup run to nine victories as they collected a fifth successive clean sheet.

Eye-catching statistics indeed but this was not a performance shimmering with golden memories.