Manaus, Sept 12: Brazil struggle to a 1-0 over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifying match. Overconfident Brazil were lucky to earn a narrow 1-0 win over injury-hit Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. Ronaldinho bundled in the only goal in the 13th minute but the visitors frustrated the world champions with long spells of possession and can consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty in the second half. Brazil, who had been openly talking about putting on a show and performing tricks before the game, started with eight of the players who began last year's World Cup final against Germany in Japan. But instead of the promised footballing feast, the frustrated crowd witnessed an unappetising encounter of few real chances and responded by jeering the five-times champions off the field.

Ecuador were without injured 35-year-old captain Alex Aguinaga and key striker Agustin Delgado, who has a long-term knee injury. But, while not brimming with talent, the team coached by Colombian Hernan Dario Gomez played neat, intelligent football and caused the hosts some nervous moments in the second half.


The result left Brazil top of the South American World Cup qualifying group with six points from two games while Ecuador, aiming to qualify for their second successive World Cup, have three points.


The teams each have another 16 matches to play between now and October 2005. The match began promisingly with Ecuador striker Carlos Tenorio testing Dida early on and Brazil taking a 13th minute lead after the Ecuador defence gave the ball straight to Roberto Carlos.


The Real Madrid defender crossed from the left, Ronaldinho and Ecuador's Neicer Reasco came flying in together at the far post and the ball appeared to fly into the net off the Ecuadorean although it was credited to the Barcelona player.


The visitors threatened again in the 38th minute when Ulises de la Cruz cut inside from the right and his shot was deflected away by Roque Junior.


Brazil only managed to turn on the style once in the first half when Rivaldo drifted between a group of players, played a one-two with Ronaldo and fired over the crossbar.



Overawed at first, Ecuador took the game to Brazil after halftime with full-backs Reasco and de la Cruz both pushing forward. Dida turned away a long-range shot by Edison Mendez three minutes into the second half and Ecuador should have had a penalty after 51 minutes when Reasco burst into the penalty area and was tripped by Roque Junior.


Instead, Venezuelan referee Luis Solorzano waved play on and booked Reasco for diving. Brazil came back to life after AC Milan midfielder Kaka, who scored the winner in Colombia, replaced the largely ineffective Ronaldinho.


In the 72nd minute, Kaka found Ronaldo on the edge of the area, his toe-poked shot was blocked by Cevallos and Rivaldo fired the rebound over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.


Teams: Brazil - 1-Dida; 2-Cafu, 3-Lucio, 4-Roque Junior, 6-Roberto Carlos; 8-Emerson (15-Renato, 62), 5-Gilberto Silva, 11-Ze Roberto, 7-Ronaldinho (16-Kaka, 68); 9-Ronaldo, 10-Rivaldo (17-Alex, 90)


Ecuador - 1-Jose Cevallos; 4-Ulises de la Cruz, 3-Ivan Hurtado, 17-Giovanni Espinoza, 18-Neicer Reasco; 5-Afonso Obregon, 20-Edwin Tenorio, 15-Marlon Ayovi, 19-Edison Mendez, 16-Kleber Chala; 9-Carlos Tenorio (14-Otilino Tenorio, 83) Referee - Luis Solorzano (Venezuela)


Standings: P W D L F A Pts 1. Brazil 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 2. Argentina 2 1 1 0 5 2 4 3. Chile 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 4. Uruguay 2 1 0 1 6 4 3 5. Peru 2 1 0 1 5 3 3 6. Paraguay 2 1 0 1 5 5 3 7. Bolivia 2 1 0 1 4 5 3 8. Ecuador 2 1 0 1 2 1 3 9. Colombia 2 0 0 2 1 6 0 10. Venezuela 2 0 0 2 0 5 0


Top four teams qualify directly for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The fifth team plays off for another place.


Bureau Report