FIFA World Cup 2010: Group G results show Brazil and Portugal on top
The last Group G matches of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa ended without any major upsets. Although, the African favourite, Ivory Coast was eliminated, African hopes were dashed further. The one-sided, 7-goal fest, Portuguese drubbing of North Korea, cemented Portugal’s place in the Final 16, ending Ivory Coast’s World Cup campaign. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side never looked able to accomplish such a big task.
In their final group match, Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast faced North Korea in a match where both countries were only playing for pride. North Korea showed a little promise in their opening match against Brazil, but their spirits soon died down. They were humiliated by Portugal and now they had to regain some pride to take back to their country. But, like the match before, this match was a one-sided affair. At the end of the first half, Ivory Coast was leading by 2-0. Yaya Toure, of Barcelona, and Romaric of Seville FC found themselves on the score-sheet in the process. This was the outcome of a very dominating half by the Elephants. Didier Drogba had his moments in the match, and he was denied a goal due to offside. Also, Romaric scored on a rebound from Drogba’s shot, to get the second goal of the match.
At the end of the first half, it looked like that the Elephants were playing to overcome a 9-goal swing, to replace Portugal in the next round. But, the enthusiasm died down in the second half, as Ivory Coast missed a lot of opportunities. But there was a third goal coming, which was scored by Salomon Kalou in the 82nd minute, after coming on as a substitute. The match ended on this score-line, as the Elephants restored some of the lost African pride, whereas the Koreans went home humiliated further.
The second match of Group G was between Portugal and Brazil, which was not a good spectacle. The best match-up in the Group should have been at some early stage, because at this stage Brazil had qualified and the Portuguese were almost there. A draw would see both of the teams through, while a win for Portugal would see them go to the top of the table, and avoid a possible clash with the Spaniards in the next round. However, both teams opted for the draw, made clear from the very beginning of the match.
Portugal coach, Carlos Queiroz, did some shuffling in the team from the last time when they thrashed North Korea. Dunga, the Brazilian coach, also made some changes in the attack, as Julio Baptista replaced Kaka, and Nilmar played in Robinho’s place. Portuguese entered the match with a defensive mentality as they played two lines of defences, one in the midfield and a more conventional line at the back. The only strategy of the attack was the counter-attack, which was defended very well by the Brazilians, led by Lucio in the defence. Brazil also had some half-chances in the match, but none were converted. Therefore, the match ended with a goalless draw, as both teams progressed to the next round of the World Cup.
With Group H points determined, now the match-ups for the Second Round of the World Cup have been finalized. Brazil would face the Chilean side in the second round; a South-American feat that promises to be fabulous to watch. Portugal, however, will face Spain in the next round. This match can have any outcome, as both teams are facing problems at the moment. The Portuguese, however, are a better looking team right now, but the Spanish seem to be coming out of their early blues just at the right moment. Whatever the case, the next round promises to be spectacular for soccer fans around the world.
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