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Brazil trounces Venezuela

SAN CRISTOBAL (Venezuela): `World Player of the Year’ Kaka returned after an 11-month international absence to inspire five-time football champion Brazil to a 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Venezuela here on Sunday.

The 26-year-old AC Milan star was on target after just five minutes and set up the third goal as Brazil moved back into the second place in the South American standings with 16 points, four behind leader Paraguay.

Manchester City ace Robinho also grabbed a share of the headlines with two sublime goals.

Venezuela came into the match buoyed by having won a match between the two nations 2-0 in a friendly in Boston last year, its first ever victory ending a run of 17 successive defeats against its illustrious rival.

However, within 20 minutes, any hopes Venezuela coach Cesar Farias had off overseeing another shock were extinguished.

Kaka’s 23rd goal

With just six minutes gone, Kaka beat goalkeeper Renny Vega with a shot from a difficult angle which went in off the post. It was the AC Milan star’s 23rd international goal in his 60th appearance.

Four minutes later, Robinho made it 2-0 when he cut inside from the left and drove the ball into the back of the net from 30 yards.

By the 20th minute, it was 3-0 with troubled striker Adriano, recalled this year after a series of fitness and disciplinary problems, finding the net from close range.

Kaka had broken from midfield and sent Elano, another Manchester City player on the pitch, free down the left-hand side.

His shot fell invitingly for Adriano to beat Vega and to justify his selection by coach Dunga who was deprived of the injured Luis Fabiano.

Venezuela had chances to hit back before half-time as Brazil’s defensive frailties looked in danger of being exposed, but Alejandro Guerra, Jorge Rojas, Juan Arango and Giancarlo Maldonado all wasted opportunities.

Adriano booked

Adriano was booked on the stroke of half-time which means he will be suspended for Wednesday’s visit of Colombia.

Brazil keeper Julio Cesar was twice called on early in the second half to save from Maldonado at close range.

Venezuela, the only South American team never to have played in a World Cup, paid for its wastefulness after 69 minutes when Robinho added his second goal of the night being put through by Kleber.

Robinho controlled the ball superbly, steadied himself and slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

Dunga’s complaint

According to team manager Dunga and the Brazilian football federation (CBF), the five-time world champion’s trip to San Cristobal was taut from the word go.

In an official federation statement, Dunga complained his team was delayed on the tarmac as soon as the plane touched down, and then he claimed the staff at their hotel took part in a dirty tricks campaign to rob his players of sleep.

Adding to Brazil’s list of complaints was the allegation that several top players suffered vomiting before, during and after the match.

A frustrated Dunga did not point any fingers.

Instead, he was quick to highlight his team’s determination to put to rest a string of mediocre displays which saw it pick up only five of a possible 12 points in its previous four games. “Our performance was even more impressive given the difficulties we had before the match,” said Dunga in the CBF statement.

Even worse, according to the CBF, was the fact that several top players — including Lucio, Maicon, Elano and Gilberto Silva — succumbed to vomiting.

Dunga added: “I believe when other teams face Brazil, the whole country gets behind them. That’s why these matches are complicated affairs.

The result: Venezuela 0 lost to Brazil 4 (Kaka 6, Robinho 10, 67, Adriano 19). — Agencies

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