Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Brazil can only grab 2-1 win over DPR Korea

An epic match to say the least, Brazil were going into this match thinking that at 5-0 they'd stop scoring, North Korea were convinced they could win.

SOCCER/FUTBOL WORLD CUP 2010 BRASIL VS COREA DEL NORTE Action photo of fans, during World Cup 2010 game held at Ellis Park Johannesburgo, South Africa./Foto de accion de aficionados, durante juego de la Copa del Mundo 2010 celebrado en Ellis Park Johannesburgo, Sudafrica. 15 June 2010 MEXSPORT/OMAR MARTINEZ Photo via Newscom
Brazil - DPR Korea


The first half was a spectacle, not in the terms of Germany - Australia, but more in the terms of what is considered an unstoppable force in soccer, meeting a team determined to stop them. While Brazil are ranked first in the FIFA rankings, North Korea/DPR Korea are ranked 105th, but this didn't stop them from defending for their lives. Brazil tried everything in the first half but they always had two or three defenders in front of them, ready to stop anything.

In the second half things began to loosen up a bit, DPR Korea's defensive organization isn't as neat, and Brazil are more determined for the goal. The first goal comes 10 minutes into the half, Maicon overlaps on the right, and with the ball ready to go out for a goal kick soon, he cracks it at goal, right between Ri Myong-Guk and his post. A superb goal which will remind people of Roberto Carlos's famous goal for Real Madrid except from the left side.

North Korea fans cheer ahead of the 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and North Korea at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 15, 2010. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP SOCIETY)
The second goal came in the 72nd minute, Robinho threads a perfectly weighted pass to Elano to split the DPR Korea defence, and then Elano slots it home perfectly. But while Brazil thought that it was over, DPR Korea were resolute and were sure they could get something from the match, and they deserved something. In the 89th minute, Ji Yun-Nam skips right through the Brazil defence to blast the ball into the net for DPR Korea's only goal. Julio Cesar didn't do well on the shot, but it was a great goal by the North Koreans as they almost stunned the mighty Brazil.

Slovakia and New Zealand draw along with Ivory Coast and Portugal

Two draws which leave their groups open and very undecided, while they could be considered as just more disappointing results for this tournament, hopefully the Brazil - DPR Korea match will be exciting and scintillating.

June 15, 2010 - South Africa - Football - New Zealand v Slovakia FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group F - Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa June - 15/6/10..Winston Reid (R) scores the first goal for New Zealand.
Reid's equalizer for New Zealand
New Zealand - Slovakia 


After Italy's draw with Paraguay yesterday (if you want a full break-down on that match you can also check this out), New Zealand and Slovakia had the feeling that if they could grab a win, it would be monumental. They could've taken first place in the group over the world champions, invigorating their country as they tried to get through the group stages. Sadly this didn't happen, but what did happen was an exciting 1-1 draw between the two.

The first goal was a header by Vittek for Slovakia, a well worked goal which put the Slovakians in front, they were overjoyed to score as the entire team celebrated together their speculative three points. Slovakia were neat and tidy with their passing, but New Zealand eventually found the equalizer deep into stoppage time. Another header from a good cross gave New Zealand an epic draw, Reid was the hero as he took off his shirt and wildly ran as everyone of the All-whites cheered. Group F now has everyone in the exact same position with one point, one goal for, and one goal against.

Ivory Coast's Guy Demel (R) takles Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 15, 2010.  REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)
Ronaldo being fouled outside the box, but he didn't get the free kick....
Ivory Coast - Portugal


This was a highly anticipated, not to say that people were let down by it, but it ended in a bit of a disappointing 0-0 draw, with Didier Drogba starting from the bench because of his broken/fractured (I'm not sure...) elbow. But even though we were missing probably the best African player, we saw the world's most expensive player strut his stuff. Cristiano Ronaldo right from the beginning was electrifying, in the 11th minute he rocketed a shot onto the post, warning the Ivory Coast of things to come.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) argues with Ivory Coast's Guy Demel during their 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 15, 2010.   REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)
Ronaldo and Demel having a shouting contest
which earned them both yellow cards
Even if there was a super-Ronaldo on the field, the Ivory Coast worked more as a team, while Portugal wanted to thread everything through Ronaldo, the Ivory Coast were building confidence as they worked together. Young Gervinho was very dangerous on the left as he often dribbled well, followed by shots for the Ivorians, certainly one to watch Gervinho who plays for Lille. While Cristiano Ronaldo dived often and effectively, he also didn't get a free kick he wanted from right outside the box because of his notorious reputation. Instead, he decided to almost pick a fight with Demel, which earned both of them yellow cards as they swore at each other.

Didier Drogba came on in the 66th and pumped up the African crowd with just his presence, and in the dying minutes of the match, Drogba missed a great chance right in front of Portugal keeper Eduardo. Overall a rather entertaining match, but without goals, and while we can expect Brazil to score five or six  against DPR Korea (full match report will be on SWU), this World Cup continues to disappoint just a little bit.

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