The two-time FIFA player of year admitted on Friday he was only average on Brazil's 1-0 opening World Cup win over Croatia, and said he needs to pick up his play for the team's second match on Sunday against Australia.

``My beginning was neither good nor bad, it was regular,''

Ronaldinho said.

``I had to stay at midfield holding the ball and trying to create plays for the rest of the team. It was OK for the debut, but I'm aware I need to perform much better.''

Ronaldinho participated in several plays against the Croats in Berlin on Tuesday, but didn't create many scoring opportunities for the defending champions.


He had a great chance in the second half, but his close-range header off a cross from Cafu was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. In another missed opportunity, he fired a first-half free kick into the defensive wall from just outside the penalty area.

``They marked very well, it was complicated,''

Ronaldinho said.


The midfielder added that the ``magic quartet,'' which also includes Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo, all need to sharpen their play against Australia.

``We'll need to try to move around more to create more scoring chances,'' he said. ``We'll have to play closer together.''

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira agreed, saying earlier in the week that ``Ronaldinho and Kaka will have to try to find more spaces'' to help the ``quartet'' work.


Ronaldinho also expressed support for striker Ronaldo, who had a dismal performance against Croatia and was substituted for in the 69th minute.

``Personally, I'm happy that this is all happening now,''

Ronaldinho said.

``It's going to motivate him.''

Ronaldo has been dealing with distractions such as a weight controversy and minor health problems since arriving for Brazil's training camp three weeks ago.


Ronaldinho, who has 29 goals in 67 matches for Brazil, was a member of the squad that won Brazil's fifth title at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The FC Barcelona star played five matches and scored two goals, including a spectacular free kick against England in the quarterfinals.


He led Brazil to titles in the 1999 Copa America and the 2000 pre-Olympic tournament, as well as in last year's Confederations Cup in Germany.


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