2010 World Cup Brazil v North Korea full time report
Brazil 2 North Korea 1
Brazil’s World Cup campaign started like many people had predicted, with a win over North Korea, but the manner in which they achieved the victory was far from convincing.
For 54 minutes they struggled to break down a dogged North Korea side, and had to rely on a freak goal by their right back Maicon to open the scoring. Brazil started to exploit the space left by Korea towards the end of the game and Elano doubled the lead following an expert through ball from Robinho.
Yum Nam Ji wrote himself into North Korean folklore by netting a late consolation, and it was richly deserved. But the chance of an amazing comeback fail to materialise.
It was tears before kick-off for North Korea’s Jong Ta-Sea, probably more to do with the emotional occasion rather than the thought of being marked by Champions League winner Lucio, but the tears seemed to be justified as Brazil started the game at a furious pace.
Manchester City fans would have been tuning in to see how Robinho got on this evening following his lacklustre performances at Eastlands, and he was Brazil’s main threat throughout the game.
His movement off the left-wing caused the Koreans all sorts of problems but the on-loan Santos star should have done better with a couple of good opportunities.
Brazil early threat fizzled out however, and as the match wore on the huge underdogs started to settle into the game, with highly-rated striker Jong providing a decent outlet for the Koreans.
Jong has reportedly attracted the attention of some European clubs and he started the half brightly with a twisting run and shot that tested Julio Cesar. He continued to link the play very cleverly throughout the half and the on-looking scouts would have been impressed with his contribution.
The five-time World Champions stepped up the pace towards the end of the half, but the half ended all square.
Brazil obviously had been given an ear bashing at half-time by Dunga and came out in the second half playing at a higher tempo, and Robinho, not for the first time, floated off his left wing but his finishing ability once again let him down.
It seemed a Brazilian goal was inevitable and it came with 54 minutes gone through the unlikely source of Inter Milan right back Maicon, and questions had to be asked of the Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk.
From an improbable angle Maicon, who had latched onto Elano pass, somehow swerved the ball past the keeper from the by-line, was it a moment of genius or bad goalkeeping? Probably a bit of both.
The second goal was more of a typical Brazilian move, fluid passing through the Korean midfield released Robinho in space and he threaded a fantastic through ball through to Elano, who confidently stroked the ball into the bottom corner.
They had initially made hard work of it but by the end of the game, Brazil certainly justified their position as one of the pre-tournament favourites. Wave after wave of Brazilian attack came and went, and Korea were lucky that score was kept down to such a minimum.
They did however, managed to grab a late consolation goal through Ji, a moment that he will re-live for the remainder of his life.
The match will be remembered for the Koreans first half performance and Li's historic goal, and a repeat of this performance may see them cause Portugal and Ivory Coast similar problems in their remaining group games.
For Brazil, however, it is onwards and upwards.
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