Brazil can only grab 2-1 win over DPR Korea

An epic match to say the least, Brazil were going into this match thinking that at 5-0 they'd stop scoring, North Korea were convinced they could win.

Brazil - DPR Korea


The first half was a spectacle, not in the terms of Germany - Australia, but more in the terms of what is considered an unstoppable force in soccer, meeting a team determined to stop them. While Brazil are ranked first in the FIFA rankings, North Korea/DPR Korea are ranked 105th, but this didn't stop them from defending for their lives. Brazil tried everything in the first half but they always had two or three defenders in front of them, ready to stop anything.

In the second half things began to loosen up a bit, DPR Korea's defensive organization isn't as neat, and Brazil are more determined for the goal. The first goal comes 10 minutes into the half, Maicon overlaps on the right, and with the ball ready to go out for a goal kick soon, he cracks it at goal, right between Ri Myong-Guk and his post. A superb goal which will remind people of Roberto Carlos's famous goal for Real Madrid except from the left side.

The second goal came in the 72nd minute, Robinho threads a perfectly weighted pass to Elano to split the DPR Korea defence, and then Elano slots it home perfectly. But while Brazil thought that it was over, DPR Korea were resolute and were sure they could get something from the match, and they deserved something. In the 89th minute, Ji Yun-Nam skips right through the Brazil defence to blast the ball into the net for DPR Korea's only goal. Julio Cesar didn't do well on the shot, but it was a great goal by the North Koreans as they almost stunned the mighty Brazil.

Slovakia and New Zealand draw along with Ivory Coast and Portugal

Two draws which leave their groups open and very undecided, while they could be considered as just more disappointing results for this tournament, hopefully the Brazil - DPR Korea match will be exciting and scintillating.

Reid's equalizer for New Zealand

New Zealand - Slovakia 


After Italy's draw with Paraguay yesterday (if you want a full break-down on that match you can also check this out), New Zealand and Slovakia had the feeling that if they could grab a win, it would be monumental. They could've taken first place in the group over the world champions, invigorating their country as they tried to get through the group stages. Sadly this didn't happen, but what did happen was an exciting 1-1 draw between the two.

The first goal was a header by Vittek for Slovakia, a well worked goal which put the Slovakians in front, they were overjoyed to score as the entire team celebrated together their speculative three points. Slovakia were neat and tidy with their passing, but New Zealand eventually found the equalizer deep into stoppage time. Another header from a good cross gave New Zealand an epic draw, Reid was the hero as he took off his shirt and wildly ran as everyone of the All-whites cheered. Group F now has everyone in the exact same position with one point, one goal for, and one goal against.

Ronaldo being fouled outside the box, but he didn't get the free kick....

Ivory Coast - Portugal


This was a highly anticipated, not to say that people were let down by it, but it ended in a bit of a disappointing 0-0 draw, with Didier Drogba starting from the bench because of his broken/fractured (I'm not sure...) elbow. But even though we were missing probably the best African player, we saw the world's most expensive player strut his stuff. Cristiano Ronaldo right from the beginning was electrifying, in the 11th minute he rocketed a shot onto the post, warning the Ivory Coast of things to come.

Ronaldo and Demel having a shouting contest
which earned them both yellow cards

Even if there was a super-Ronaldo on the field, the Ivory Coast worked more as a team, while Portugal wanted to thread everything through Ronaldo, the Ivory Coast were building confidence as they worked together. Young Gervinho was very dangerous on the left as he often dribbled well, followed by shots for the Ivorians, certainly one to watch Gervinho who plays for Lille. While Cristiano Ronaldo dived often and effectively, he also didn't get a free kick he wanted from right outside the box because of his notorious reputation. Instead, he decided to almost pick a fight with Demel, which earned both of them yellow cards as they swore at each other.

Didier Drogba came on in the 66th and pumped up the African crowd with just his presence, and in the dying minutes of the match, Drogba missed a great chance right in front of Portugal keeper Eduardo. Overall a rather entertaining match, but without goals, and while we can expect Brazil to score five or six  against DPR Korea (full match report will be on SWU), this World Cup continues to disappoint just a little bit.

Italy and Paraguay battle out 1-1 draw

Probably one of the most exciting matches of this World Cup so far, both teams went for it, looking for goals as they both attacked providing an unseen spectacle so far.

Italy - Paraguay


The match started with a bit of apprehension from both sides, but they eventually started to create chances, Paraguay had one of the best in the first half, working their way with Torres right outside the 18 with the ball on his foot and Buffon out of position, but his shot was disappointing. Then in the 39th minute, Paraguay strike first from a free kick, the ball swung in and Alcaraz jumps the highest to head Paraguay into the lead before the second half.

While Italy weren't as dominant as we've seen them, they grew with time, retaining the ball and getting close to goal often with an inspired Pepe. Buffon was taken off for an unknown reason and replaced by Marchetti in goal, as Camoranesi and Di Natale came on later in the half. But Paraguay scared Italy before their goal with Vera almost hitting the post from close range, but in the 63rd, Italy's De Rossi scores from a corner after Paraguay's keeper Villar completely misses it, leaving the goal wide open for the equalizer.

Italy then went on to dominate the possession and chances, Montolivo grew more into his playmaker role with long strikes on target and great passes which often led to crosses for Di Natale or Iaquinta. While Italy could have a penalty claim, Paraguay played very well. Now it's very possible that New Zealand or Slovakia sneak into first place in front of the defending World Cup champions.

Netherlands unconvincingly win and Japan squeeze out victory

Two relatively disappointing matches which both end with wins, and that leaves the group with the Netherlands on top, and Denmark at the bottom.

Netherlands     (3)
Japan               (3)
Cameroon       (0)
Denmark         (0)

Japan - Cameroon


While this match could've provided so much more, it still wasn't as bad as some will make it out to be. The only goal was grabbed in the first half (which was probably as bleak as the Netherlands - Denmark game's first half), a great cross the the far post for an unmarked Kaisuke Honda led to the Japanese striker poking in the goal. It was bad defending which led to this, Honda was completely unmarked, giving him plenty of space.

In the second half Cameroon began to fight for the equalizer, Eto'o's dribbling created a great chance in the 49th minute which was sent sailing just above the left corner. Cameroon pressed incessantly, just like the vuvuzelas that people want banned, Cameroon were constantly pressing and annoying the Japanese defence. In the 86th minute, Enoh from long distance lashed a rocket which thundered onto the crossbar, and in the dying minutes of the match Webotaps in a cross which Kawashima somehow saves, giving Japan their first victory in the World Cup finals outside of their country.

Netherlands - Denmark

After Germany's 4-0 whacking of Australia, many expected the Netherlands to match the feat, or at least win convincingly, but it was a much different story for the Dutch as they met a resolute Danish side. The first half was probably one of the most perplexing halves of football I've seen, the Netherlands were without inspiration, they were sluggish and slow, unable to find any options or create any chances. That's about how it can be summed up, a terrible half by the Dutch. Denmark on the other hand were about as good as I expected, resolute and organized in defense, and the attack wasn't that bad either. In fact, Denmark had double the shots on goal than the disappointing Netherlands who were only able to manage one.

It was the second half that things changed a bit, right at the beginning in the 46th minute the Netherlands are able to squeeze a cross in the area which Simon Poulsen somehow headed into his own net. The ball bounced off of Aggers back as it tantalizingly hit the post and went into the goal, impossible for Sorensen to save.

The game continued at it's relatively disappointing pace even with the first goal scored, it was only the introduction of Elia which provided spark and speed to a depressing side. The young winger was running around, scaring the Danish defence as he carved open spaces and chances for teammates. Eventually Elia was releaseed 1 on 1 with Sorensen as his finish clipped the post, Dirk Kuyt followed up to grab the second goal.

This clinched the victory for the Netherlands but many will be disappointed, maybe they were just missing Robben, or maybe it was this powerful denmark team which caused them more trouble than they thought.