NEW YORK—Local fans of Brazil’s soccer team sprang to their feet to cheer as the team scored its first goal of the World Cup in a match against North Korea on Tuesday. At a small Cuban bar in Queens, a handful of enthusiastic fans made the noise of a large crowd as they cheered team Brazil. Their excitement continued to grow as Brazil took shot after shot on the goal during the first half of the game, however Brazil ended the first half with no points scored. Brazil finished the game with a 2-1 win, with North Korea scoring its first goal in the last five minutes.
Top-ranked Brazil was up against 85th-ranked North Korea. The North Koreans made a strong showing at first but the Brazilian’s fancy footwork proved too big a challenge and Brazil was able to keep the North Korean’s on the defensive for much of the game. Midway through the second half Brazil scored one and then another goal, each greeted by wild cheers from this small group. The Tuesday night game in Johannesburg was an afternoon affair in Queens. Passersby asked about the score or stopped in and watched for a few minutes.
It was North Korea’s first World Cup appearance in 44 years. The last time North Korea competed in the World Cup was 1966. That year the North Korean team made it to the final eight by defeating Italy 1-0 but was then knocked out by Portugal losing 5-3 in the quarter finals.
North Korea and Brazil will both go on to play Portugal and Cote d’Ivoire, the other teams in their grouping before elimination rounds begin.
On Wednesday Honduras will play Chile at 7:30 a.m. EDT, Spain will play Switzerland at 10 a.m. and South Africa will play Uruguay at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
Top-ranked Brazil was up against 85th-ranked North Korea. The North Koreans made a strong showing at first but the Brazilian’s fancy footwork proved too big a challenge and Brazil was able to keep the North Korean’s on the defensive for much of the game. Midway through the second half Brazil scored one and then another goal, each greeted by wild cheers from this small group. The Tuesday night game in Johannesburg was an afternoon affair in Queens. Passersby asked about the score or stopped in and watched for a few minutes.
It was North Korea’s first World Cup appearance in 44 years. The last time North Korea competed in the World Cup was 1966. That year the North Korean team made it to the final eight by defeating Italy 1-0 but was then knocked out by Portugal losing 5-3 in the quarter finals.
North Korea and Brazil will both go on to play Portugal and Cote d’Ivoire, the other teams in their grouping before elimination rounds begin.
On Wednesday Honduras will play Chile at 7:30 a.m. EDT, Spain will play Switzerland at 10 a.m. and South Africa will play Uruguay at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
