Brazil showed the true color by thrashing Olympic debutant New Zealand 5-0 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on Sunday.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson opened the scoring when he dived for a follow-up header near the goal after his right-footed strike was cleared by New Zealand goalie Jacob Spoonley, finishing a sole run in the third minute.

AC Milan's 19-year-old striking prodigy Alexandre Pato enlarged the lead in the 34th minute, heading home a superb cross from Rio Madrid defender Marcelo.

In the 54th minute, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho got a chance to launch a spot kick near the edge of the box. He right-footed a low shot over the wall, curling over Spoonley and hitting the back of the net.

Only six minutes later, Ronaldinho, who was recently transferred from Real Madrid to AC Milan, was brought down inside the box. He duly put the penalty into the left corner of the net.

The Brazilians were not content with the leading margin, and during injury time, forward Rafael Sobis, who replaced Pato 20 minutes before the final whistle, put in another easy goal after a number of dazzling passes by Ronaldinho and midfielder Lucas.

Brazil dominated two thirds of the match in terms of ball possession and had 11 shots on goal, compared to three of New Zealand.

Brazil's attack was assisted by a full audience magnetized by the mega stars such as Ronaldinho and Diego.

Brazil have won the FIFA World Cup a record five times but have come up short at the Olympics, finishing with a silver medal in the 1984 and 1988 Games, and bronze in 1996. After failing to qualify for the 2004 Athens Games, coach Dunga's side is determined to bring the champion title home from Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)