RIO DE JANEIRO—On Tuesday, the country of Brazil stopped to watch the premiere of its national team in the World Cup. The federal government enacted optional service, schools suspended classes, and banks closed early.
Nationwide, thousands of fans gathered in the streets wearing yellow and green costumes, and blowing horns to watch the game on big screens making a big national party. But the expectations of Brazilians were shaken when the first half ended 0–0 after a poor performance by the Brazilian team.
“Brazil won but I’m not convinced. The supremacy in the field was clear, everyone saw that Brazil dominated the game but it was not what one might expect of Brazilian soccer,” said Rio de Janiero radio host Cristiano Ottoni de Menezes, 61.
As Brazil was the overwhelming favorite, the North Koreans invested heavily in defense. Brazil struggled to get going, lacking speed in the movement of their players as North Korea clogged up the field.
Although Robinho stood out with talented dribbling and a few strong attempts on goal, Kaka, who was meant to make the difference, was not shining as expected.
“Kaka was very far from the best player in the world [that] he was in 2007,” said de Menezes.
Coach Dunga, knowing the pressure that awaits if his selection does not perform well, was caught biting his tongue, sometimes chomping on his fingers. Was he nervous? Probably. It’s what represented the minds of the millions of Brazilian soccer fans who could not do anything but pray for a better team in the second half.
“Brazil won but I’m not convinced. The supremacy in the field was clear, everyone saw that Brazil dominated the game but it was not what one might expect of Brazilian soccer,” said Rio de Janiero radio host Cristiano Ottoni de Menezes, 61.
As Brazil was the overwhelming favorite, the North Koreans invested heavily in defense. Brazil struggled to get going, lacking speed in the movement of their players as North Korea clogged up the field.
Although Robinho stood out with talented dribbling and a few strong attempts on goal, Kaka, who was meant to make the difference, was not shining as expected.
“Kaka was very far from the best player in the world [that] he was in 2007,” said de Menezes.
Coach Dunga, knowing the pressure that awaits if his selection does not perform well, was caught biting his tongue, sometimes chomping on his fingers. Was he nervous? Probably. It’s what represented the minds of the millions of Brazilian soccer fans who could not do anything but pray for a better team in the second half.
The Korean team stuck with its defensive strategy that worked in the first half. But the instructions of Dunga during the break eventually worked. The team started to move better, creating great opportunities on the wings.
At 10 minutes into the second half, Felipe Melo passed the ball to fullback Maicon, the Man of the Match, who, knowing that goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk had left too much room at the near post, surprised him by kicking from a narrow angle straight into the goal.
The crowd celebrated and Dunga gave a sigh of relief.
The North Koreans remained on the defensive, with counterattacking moves of limited success. The Brazilian team proved its superiority in the game but the fans were thinking that 1–0 is insufficient for a lowly-ranked opponent like North Korea.
In the 72nd minute, Robinho threaded a beautiful pass disarming the Korean defenders and leaving Elano to guide the ball home, with elegance, for the second Brazilian goal.
The Brazilian team seemed to relax with the two-goal advantage, seeing little or no threat from the opponent. But in the 89th minute, the North Korean attack came good.
Jong Tae Se headed and Ji Yun Nam received, burst through the Brazilian defense, and fired past Julio Cesar to make the score 2–1.
Brazil won but with a sense of not having scored enough. A better goal difference, which is particularly important in this first phase of the competition, could be sorely missed.
“We did not have one of the main characteristics of Brazilian soccer. We did not have the creativity, the link between defense, and attack left much to be desired,” said de Menezes.
The result makes the “Selecao” jump to the top of Group G, ahead of Ivory Coast and Portugal, who drew 0–0.
Brazilian players now get ready for their second Group G match on Sunday, against Ivory Coast. On Monday, North Korea tries to avoid its second defeat at the World Cup against Portugal.
With additional reporting from Bruno Menezes.
At 10 minutes into the second half, Felipe Melo passed the ball to fullback Maicon, the Man of the Match, who, knowing that goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk had left too much room at the near post, surprised him by kicking from a narrow angle straight into the goal.
The crowd celebrated and Dunga gave a sigh of relief.
The North Koreans remained on the defensive, with counterattacking moves of limited success. The Brazilian team proved its superiority in the game but the fans were thinking that 1–0 is insufficient for a lowly-ranked opponent like North Korea.
In the 72nd minute, Robinho threaded a beautiful pass disarming the Korean defenders and leaving Elano to guide the ball home, with elegance, for the second Brazilian goal.
The Brazilian team seemed to relax with the two-goal advantage, seeing little or no threat from the opponent. But in the 89th minute, the North Korean attack came good.
Jong Tae Se headed and Ji Yun Nam received, burst through the Brazilian defense, and fired past Julio Cesar to make the score 2–1.
Brazil won but with a sense of not having scored enough. A better goal difference, which is particularly important in this first phase of the competition, could be sorely missed.
“We did not have one of the main characteristics of Brazilian soccer. We did not have the creativity, the link between defense, and attack left much to be desired,” said de Menezes.
The result makes the “Selecao” jump to the top of Group G, ahead of Ivory Coast and Portugal, who drew 0–0.
Brazilian players now get ready for their second Group G match on Sunday, against Ivory Coast. On Monday, North Korea tries to avoid its second defeat at the World Cup against Portugal.
With additional reporting from Bruno Menezes.
