Brazil vs North Korea time for Luis Fabiano and Kaka to shine
If you were to dream up a soccer match featuring contrasting teams, you almost couldn’t do a better job than the Group G match-up on Tuesday between Brazil and North Korea. After all, while the Brazilians might not have invented soccer, some say that they perfected “The Beautiful Game;” there’s little doubt that they are the international rock stars of the support. Meanwhile, North Korea are total mysteries, hailing from a country where secrecy is valued above all else and having almost no players of international note.
The lack of sophistication in the North Korean soccer world was highlighted by a gaffe made by their soccer federation in submitting their final rosters ahead of the World Cup to FIFA – or perhaps a cunning plan that went wrong. The team submitted Kim Myong Won – one of their top strikers – as a goalkeeper, either an administrative error (as the North Koreans suggest) or an attempt to sneak another striker onto the roster. Either way, Kim will have to sit out the World Cup – or play as a net minder, as FIFA ruled that he cannot play as an outfield player during the World Cup.
Certainly, North Korea will need all the help they can get on Tuesday against Brazil. They were surprise qualifiers out of Asia, using a scoreless draw at Saudi Arabia in their final match to clinch the final spot from Group B on goal difference. All but three of their players ply their trade in the North Korean professional league, hardly one of the sport’s juggernauts. The North Koreans are the lowest ranked team by FIFA to make it to South Africa and are expected to be little more than a bump in the road for the three giants in the group (Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast).
Brazil is facing entirely different expectations coming into the World Cup – anything less than a title will be considered a failure. Such is the price you pay when you have won the World Cup more than any other country. There will certainly also be plenty of pressure on team coach Dunga from the opening whistle; he has attracted a lot of criticism for moving Brazil away from its traditionally free-flowing, wide open game and toward a more compact and defensive minded game. Leaving former world player of the year Ronaldinho was one move meant to help this transition that has angered many Brazilian fans.
It remains to be seen whether Dunga’s tactics will pay off or blow up in his face; chances are the match against North Korea will provide little to no insight about the strength of Brazil’s squad. There is simply far too much talent for Brazil not to have a field day against the overmatched North Koreans. Luis Fabiano stepped into the role vacated by an injured Kaka during last year’s Confederations Cup and became the tournament’s top goal scorer; now both players are healthy, giving the Brazilians an incredible one-two scoring punch. Maicon and Lucio are two of the best defenders in the world, meaning that goalkeeper Julio Cesar will likely not have much to do against North Korea.
The only question being asked of Brazil heading into the match versus North Korea is how many goals they will win by. Unfortunately for North Korea, there’s little reason for Brazil to take their foot off of the gas should they build up a comfortable lead – not only would an impressive win quell unease back home, but with Group G being so competitive, goal difference could be a huge factor. If Brazil can run up the score against North Korea, they will. While North Korea might have pulled off one of the biggest World Cup shocker in beating Italy in 1966, lighting likely won’t strike twice.
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