FIFA World Cup 2010: Portugal vs North Korea - Portugal Steers its Way to Resounding 7-0 Victory and to the Next Round
Portugal had their pride at stake, as Brazil emerged as one of the teams to go to the Round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Brazil qualified for the next round holding the top position on the table of Group G, the Group of Death, in South Africa. Portugal drew its first match against a strong Ivory Coast side, and this time they were facing a rather meagre opponent, North Korea. As Ivory Coast lost against Brazil, it was a good chance for the Portuguese to win and get an upper hand. And what an incredibly convincing victory it was, as the Portuguese beat the Koreans by a margin of 7-0.
The match had a very one-sided tendency, as the Portuguese showed their intent from the very sound of the whistle. Portugal attacked brilliantly, using their wings and full-backs, and showed an exemplary finishing in the match. The counter-attacks were also sublime, assisted by the former World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. Defensively as well, they showed class and kept the Koreans at bay.
The Portuguese were kept silent for the most period of the first half, and the strike from Raul Meireles gave them the lead in the 29th minute. The remainder of the half saw Portuguese coming close to scoring on numerous occasions, but the finishing was missing. The second half, on the other hand, had a completely different story.
In the second half, the Portuguese found the net six times; Tiago with a brace and Simao, Hugo Almeida, Liedson and Cristiano Ronaldo all on the score-sheet with one goal. The Portuguese used the weapon of counter-attack very effectively, and their left-back Fabio Coentrao was particularly impressive.
Fabio Coentrao had three assists in the match, and was named the Man of the Match. The full-back played a significant role in the game by providing extra width and making good forward runs. He also supported Ronaldo and Tiago in the midfield, and provided excellent crosses to the forwards in the box. He assisted the goal of Almeida, Tiago and Liedson, and played an important role in the team’s win in South Africa.
There is no doubt that the North Koreans were tipped by all to lose this match against Portugal, but their last match performance against Brazil had raised the hopes of the fans. Although they were good in attack, they were exploited by the Portuguese in the counter-attacking. The Korean midfield and full-backs showed very little commitment in defending the counters, due to which they had a serious set-back in the game. North Korea is perhaps the weakest team in this World Cup, and they have been placed in the toughest group, but the expectations at the World Cup stage are always high. This kind of humiliation was always unexpected, and this kind of performance at such a big level is awful. There is only one match left for the Koreans in this World Cup; against Ivory Coast. That would be their last performance in the tournament and they should use the opportunity to reclaim their lost pride.
This match has given Portugal an upper hand on the Ivory Coast. Brazil has already qualified for the next round, and they will be playing against Portugal in the last match. There is a chance that the team qualifying for the second position from this group would play Spain in the next round. Both these teams would be trying to avoid Spain at such an early stage of the tournament, therefore, both the teams would have high stakes in the final match. Ivory Coast would be playing North Korea in their final match. Now, if Portugal loses the match against Brazil with a big margin, and Ivory Coast wins with a big margin, then there is a chance to qualify for the next round. Otherwise, Portugal is through to the next, because of the goals galore today, and only the match between Brazil and Portugal is important in Group G.
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