SPORTS

Ronaldo confident of keeping 35-goal promise

January 19, 2004 15:43 IST

Ronaldo believes he is well on course to honour his pre-season promise to score 35 goals this term after grabbing the equaliser in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.

The goal, complete with his trademark stepover, brought his tally for the season to 20 in all competitions and his total since joining Real Madrid two years ago to 50.

"I hope to reach my promised total of 35 goals," the 27-year-old Brazilian said. "I've now scored 50 goals since joining Real Madrid and that's an important figure, but I now hope to go on and score another 50."

But the former World Player of the Year said he had not been happy with his team's performance against a dominant Betis, who took the lead in the first half with a well taken volley from live-wire winger Joaquin.

"We didn't start the first half with the attitude you need to have in such a big game," he said. "We improved after the break, though, and I thought we could have gone home with a victory, but it just wasn't to be."

The result meant that Real remained in second place in the Primera Liga one point behind Valencia, who drew 0-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.

The two sides meet in the first leg of a King's Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday at the Bernabeu, with the return match a week later at the Mestalla.

"We have to make the most of home advantage in the first leg," said the Real Madrid striker. "It will be very tough when we visit Valencia, but there is no favourite to win the tie because we are two very powerful teams."

Source: REUTERS
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