Ravishing Ronaldinho Rips NZ Apart

First Half

The second group C game against A Seleção may have been a daunting prospect for the Oly-Whites, but ahead of the encounter coach Stu Jacobs promised to throw caution to the wind against the South American stars.

However, defender Steven Old was suspended having seen red during the 1-1 draw with hosts China, with several more New Zealanders walking a suspension tightrope and they made the worst possible start.

Manchester United's Anderson took advantage of a mix-up in the defence in the fourth minute to head the opener and give Brazil the upper hand.

New Zealand were not a team lacking in application, but the South Americans were clearly the superior side and just after the half-hour mark AC Milan's Alexandre Pato doubled the advantage when he found space ten-yards out and produced a crisp finish.

Pato's new club-mate Ronaldinho showed some deft touches throughout the first half and had an effort ruled out for offside.

Second Half

New Zealand started the second half in a positive manner, enjoying good early possession after the interval, but unperturbed by his first half frustrations, though, Ronaldinho soon took the game by the scruff of the neck.

On 55 minutes, he played in the rampaging Marcelo, who was then scythed down clumsily. From a wide-left position, Ronaldinho himself smacked a low free-kick effort which trickled trough a packed penalty area and finished in the far corner.

By the hour mark the Oly-Whites looked beleaguered and it was perhaps a question of how comfortable dominant Brazil wanted the scoreline to appear.

Most of their play came down the left channel and a cutting passing moved ended with Ronaldinho being bundled to the ground by Sam Jenkins as he raced into the penalty area. The ref pointed to the spot and the former Barça star stepped up to side-foot the ball under Jacob Spoonley, who had guessed the right direction at least.

Four goals to the good, the rest of the match was played at exhibition pace and Brazil started to go through their repertoire of tricks, much to the delight of the Chinese crowd.

New Zealand did threaten the Brazil clean sheet late on. Jenkins' drive was repelled and midfielder Cole Peverley should have done better when he pulled his shot agonisingly wide.

Deep into injury time, Brazil put the icing on their own cake. Ronaldinho shimmied outside the area, Liverpool's Lucas took over, flicking the ball into the path of sub Rafael Sobis, who toe-poked the ball under the overworked 'keeper to round off the scoring.

Six points, six goals and none conceded. Cool in defence and clinical in attack, Brazil will be firmly amongst the favourites for gold after a commanding display, albeit against Olympics débutantes.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com