Ronaldo confounds the doubters

BERLIN: Brazil's Ronaldo confounded his many doubters with a predatory double against Japan which leaves him a goal away from becoming the top World Cup goal scorer of all time.

A neat header and a fine curling shot on the turn dispelled any notion that the 29-year-old Real Madrid striker has had his day - and perhaps a few too many culinary indulgences - as his contribution in the 4-1 win in Dortmund took him to 14 World Cup goals, level with German "bomber"
Gerd Muller.

 "I have been very patient. You have to keep working and not lose heart," said the superstar, who added that the support of his family "has carried me through the bad times," including another injury-ravaged season.

"I came to the finals in a much worse physical condition than my teammates (but) I feel better and better," he enthused after moving past Pele's Brazilian record of 12 World Cup goals to delight coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

 "Ronaldo is getting better and better. He is a very special player," Parreira beamed, while Pele congratulated Ronaldo on his achievement.

"That will have been a weight off his shoulders," said Pele.

 The 'Phenomenon' had cut an almost pitiful figure in arriving in Germany after an injury-ravaged season with Real, where he has not won anything since a 2003 league title, that success pre-dating the David Beckham era at the Bernabeu.

 His lack of match fitness was also compounded by a visible battle to keep his weight under control.