Ronaldinho doubles up as Brazil whip N.Zealand

Ronaldinho delighted his legion of fans, scoring twice as he led Brazil to an untroubled 5-0 win over minnows New Zealand in an Olympic men's football match here Sunday.

The Brazilian captain and AC Milan midfielder, a clear favourite with the large crowd, was at the heart of nearly every decisive move as New Zealand struggled to stay in the match.

The win underscored Brazil's credential's as likely finalists and put them firmly at the head of Pool C as they changed up several gears from their uninspiring opener when they beat Belgium 1-0.

New Zealand were outclassed as Brazil scored in the third minute, led 2-0 at half-time and added three more goals after the interval.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson opened the scoring in the third minute although it took him three attempts to get the ball past an athletic New Zealand 'keeper Jacob Spoonley.

A sliding Spoonley managed to get a foot to Anderson's first shot and when the Brazilian latched on to the rebound Spoonley flung out an arm to save again although the ball went straight back to Anderson who headed home from close range.

Pato scored the second 10 minutes from half-time when he picked up an incisive cross from Marcelo, and from side on to the goal he nipped the ball around defender Michael Boxall and past Spoonley.

New Zealand's best efforts came soon after the interval when they forced a series of corners.

But the only time they came close to being rewarded was when Ronaldinho was forced to clear for safety and the ball went dangerously close to the woodwork for another corner.

Minutes later the Brazilian captain found the net when he fired in a free kick, beating the wall and the keeper.

Ronaldinho followed with his second from a penalty after being brought down by Sam Jenkins.

With the New Zealand defence in tatters, Spoonley was called on to work overtime in goal before being beaten once more just before time when Sobis Rafael finished another break by Ronaldinho.