Ronaldinho overcome by goals against students

QINHUANGDAO (Reuters) - Former world player of the year Ronaldinho was overcome with emotion after scoring two goals against New Zealand's team of university students on Sunday.

"It's a special day," he said after scoring with a fortuitous free kick and a penalty in Brazil's 5-0 win.

"Because of everything which has happened, because of my performance, because we qualified. The atmosphere here is great and that helps a lot."

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) website (www.cbfnews.com.br) said the player was too emotional to make any further comments.

Ronaldinho, 28, has been included as one of Brazil's three permitted over-age players in the under-23 tournament in an attempt by Brazil coach Dunga to help re-ignite his career.

The ever-grinning forward, recently signed by AC Milan, barely played for Barcelona in the second half of last season because of persistent fitness and injury problems.

Many wondered whether he had lost motivation and would be capable of returning to his best.

Midfielder Lucas said: "Ronaldinho deserves it, he's a great player and a great person."

New Zealand, who qualified by winning a group in which Fiji were their closest rivals, have only three professional players in their squad. Nearly all the others are at university.

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Steve Ginsburg)