Ronaldo ties Gerd Mueller to be all-time World Cup top scorer
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-23 08:49
DORTMUND, Germany - Ronaldo scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals
Thursday, passing Pele as Brazil's all-time scoring leader in the competition
and tying the record set by Gerd Mueller of Germany.
Brazil's Ronaldo walks
on the pitch during their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match against
Japan in Dortmund June 22, 2006. [Reuters] | The
striker scored with a header in first-half injury time in the defending
champion's match against Japan in Group F. He then added a second in the 81st
with a right-foot shot from 20 meters.
Another goal for the Real Madrid player would make him the tournament's
all-time leading scorer.
"I'm very happy with my performance, with the two goals and with Brazil's
victory," Ronaldo said. "Now it's time to rest and think about the round of 16."
Ronaldo had a great chance to put Brazil ahead in the seventh minute after
beating a defender inside the area, but his close-range shot was saved by Japan
goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. His right-footer in the 20th was just as
dangerous, again stopped by Kawaguchi.
Ronaldo, playing in his fourth World Cup, has scored 66 goals in 102 matches
with Brazil. Pele scored 95 in 114 matches.
Ronaldo was coming off two disappointing performances with Brazil, being held
goal-less and twice substituted.
"Ronaldo played really well, improved throughout the game," Brazil midfielder
Kaka said. "We're all happy (for him)."
Ronaldo had to deal with a series of distractions since arriving for the
World Cup a month ago, including a weight controversy and a string of minor
health problems.
Ronaldo admittedly arrived for the World Cup overweight after enduring a
series of injuries with Real Madrid earlier in the season.
Brazil's physical trainer Moraci Sant'Anna on Wednesday revealed the striker
weighs 90.5 kilograms (199 1/2 pounds), 8.5 kilograms (almost 19 pounds) more
than listed by FIFA. Sant'Anna said the striker lost nearly 5 kilograms (11
pounds) since arriving for Brazil's training camp.
|
