FIFA World Cup 2010 - Portugal Vs North Korea Reactions
Portugal made their intentions clear at the FIFA World Cup by bulldozing through the ordinary North Korean defence on their way to a crushing 7-0 win that will go down as one of the biggest wins at the world cup.
The people of Portugal celebrated the thumping win at Campo Pequeno bullring in central Lisbon where the match was being screened to thousands of passionate fans.
The Europeans who had stuttered through a goal-less draw against Ivory Coast in their opening match, were all guns blazing against the North Koreans who were taught a harsh lesson, by the rampaging Portugal forwards.
Their delight was doubled when Cristiano Ronaldo, scored his first International goal in 16 months. Ronaldo, one of the biggest stars at the international level who plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid, was proud to be an active participant in the victory. The Portuguese gave their chances of qualifying from the group of death a real boost by defeating the North Koreans by a big margin.
"It has been interesting, a very good result. I hope we play like this against Brazil. If we play like this I am sure we will win, at least by two 2-0 is enough," said one fan hoping that his team would carry the good work against the five time world champions Brazil in their last group match.
"It was a great game. We are capable of the best and the worst. It's like this and we hope we win against Brazil in order to continue in the World Cup and make all these people dream. Long live Portugal," said another fan, who was beaming with joy.
Meanwhile the thumping loss, disappointed the North Koreans, some of them were shocked by the appalling performance of their team, and felt that they could have done so much better in the game.
The 7-0 rout was not what the Koreans had expected and some of the fans who had gathered at a screening in Japan, were left consoling each other after the heartbreaking defeat.
The occasion was a festive one as school children from Korea, flocked at a special screening arranged in support of their national team in Japan. The children were chanting "Peel-sung-cho-sun," or "victory North Korea," at the start of the match as they prayed for their team’s win.
The North Korean were hopeful that their team would repeat the performance of the 1966 team that scored three goals in a world cup match against Portugal in England, before succumbing to a 5-3 defeat.
However, their dreams were shattered in the second half, as the Portuguese hammered one goal after another in one of the most lopsided results in modern football, especially the world cup; some of the fans were seen crying at the end of the game.
"I wanted a victory... I deadly wanted. I hope we go to the World Cup one more time 4 years later," said one 13 year old girl, who was struggling to hold back her tears.
Present amongst the fans was mother of Japan-born midfielder Ahn Young-hak, after the match she said that she was proud of her son’s effort despite the result.
"My son did well I think the result wasn't that good. He did his best," The beleaguered North Koreans will next face Africans Ivory Coast on June 25th at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in their last match of the tournament.
Although there is little that the team can achieve in their final fixture, some of the fans are still pinning their hopes on the team.
"I wish they win at least one game though it has been all-defeat so far. Tae-se and Young-hak will make it happen by scoring a goal," said one passionate supporter as the fans headed home with heavy hearts.
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