30/06/2006
Ronaldinho "worst" Brazilian, Ronaldo best says poll
Ronaldinho is the worst Brazilian player to
date at the World Cup after underperforming so far, whereas Ronaldo has
made the critics eat their words.
A poll by the Datafolha group said Friday that 27 percent of men
questioned - and 30 percent of women - made Ronaldo their man of the
tournament so far for the 'auriverde' following his three goals in the
past two matches on the back of a slow start.
However, 13 percent said that Ronaldinho's report card after four
matches should read 'must do better,' compared with nine percent who
were still dissatisfied with Ronaldo despite his becoming the
tournament's all-time top scorer with 15 goals.
Against that, 14 percent made the Barcelona star and world player of the
year their favourite along with Kaka.
Despite abiding reservations on Brazil's form to date, 83 percent of the
2,828 people asked Wednesday and Thursday said they believe the Selecao
will win their sixth crown, with six percent going for Germany and two
percent for Argentina.
The poll also showed that coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who also led
the side to the 1994 title, was riding the crest of a wave of popularity
with 64 percent of fans supporting him compared with just 47 six months
ago.
Parreira earned some brickbats even after the 1994 triumph as his team
was seen as dull compared to previous Brazilian sides.
And despite four wins in four games in Germany, this year's vintage has
been bitterly criticised in some quarters for a lack of verve.
Overall, 71 percent of those questioned in the snap poll said they
believed Parreira was the man for the job with only 17 percent thinking
he should step down.
Were he to call it a day after the finals, 29 percent of fans would like
Brazil's 2002 champion handler Luiz Felipe Scolari to return and drop
his current post with Portugal.
