France frustrated as Brazil advance

France frustrated as Brazil advance
THE DAY REPLAYED: The world is still waiting for Brazil to catch fire but why should it worry? The statistics show two wins, no goals conceded, six points and a place safely guaranteed in the Round of 16. Ronaldo remains without a goal but against Australia, Adriano put himself on the scoresheet for the first time in a FIFA World Cup™ match, Robinho continued to impress as a second-half substitute and Fred elevated his own status with a late goal.

While Brazil are eyeing the possibilities of who they might meet in the next round, France are fretting over the fact that they might not get there at all. At least they scored – for the first time since they won the Trophy in July 1998 – but Park Ji-Sung's late equaliser leaves France with just two points while Korea Republic have four. To make matters worse, the booking for Zinedine Zidane rules him out of the next game so if France don't progress we have seen the last of the great man. And that would be a source of sadness for every football fan.
JPN 0-0 CRO/BRA 2-0 AUS/FRA 1-1 KOR
It would be dangerous to dismiss Brazil on the evidence of two stop-start performances. They make a habit of improving as the competition goes on and it can be an ominous sign that Ronaldinho and Ronaldo haven't really started to spark yet. For the second game running Carlos Alberto Parreira brought off his star striker. There were moments when Ronaldo's control appeared to have deserted him and moments when he reminded everyone of his quality.
Player of the Day : Ze Roberto – two saving tackles when Australia threatened

It was a good time then for the Seleção's unsung players to steal the limelight and Ze Roberto was not found wanting as he covered a lot of ground in defensive areas and made two saving tackles just when it appeared as though Australia might score.
Much discussion has centred on Ronaldo's poor showing in their tournament opener against Croatia and, not for the first time, all the eyes of the world were on him as he stepped out into the Munich sunshine. One shocking air shot as he attempted a volley seemed to sum up all his problems but at least he laid on the opening goal.
Goal of the Day: Adriano: Brazil 1-0
Ronaldinho played the ball forward, where Ronaldo found three defenders blocking out the sunlight. Unfazed by the close attention, he shovelled the ball across the penalty area where Adriano took a touch to work a shooting position and then directed a fine low shot past Mark Schwarzer's left hand.
The goal seemed to inspire Australia and they nearly scored when Dida left his line carelessly and collided with Mark Viduka but Harry Kewell, newly arrived off the bench, couldn’t take advantage. Kaka headed against the bar, Viduka almost caught Dida off his line and then Fred tapped in for his third goal in four appearances.

There were just as many questions hovering over France going into their game with Korea Republic as there had been with Brazil – probably more so. They had begun with a 0-0 against Switzerland in a game that was long on familiarity and short on excitement.
. The decision to omit the mercurial newcomer Franck Ribery could have indicated a more cautious approach by coach Raymond Domenech but Thierry Henry settled French nerves in the ninth minute with his first FIFA World Cup goal since this very same day eight years ago when he scored twice in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
Korea Republic had won their first game against Togo so France needed to win. They didn’t look comfortable in front and it was no great surprise when the Koreans drew level. Henry missed a gilt-edged chance soon after and a single point was all they were left with. They have two, compared to the Koreans' four and tomorrow both Switzerland and Togo have the chance to overtake the 1998 champions.

Moment of the Day : Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi makes great penalty save
Japan were another side with something to make up to their followers after they conceded three late goals to give Australia their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory. Zico's team were in trouble in the 22nd minute when Tsuneyasu Miyamoto fouled Dado Prso. Darijo Srna struck his attempt reasonably well but Kawaguchi guessed right and flung himself to his left to make the save.
That put more petrol in the Japan engine and although the game faded as a spectacle as the heat of mid-afternoon in Nuremberg took its toll, there were plenty of goalmouth spills and thrills and the draw was probably a fair reflection. With a single point apiece, though, it left both teams with much to do to reach the next phase.