Brazil 2 North Korea 1: match report

It’s official. There is definitely something iffy about this Jabulani ball. Even the Brazilians struggle with it although Maicon’s extraordinary goal, from a geometry-defying angle, that finally opened the scoring had much to do with the swerve it induces.
It’s been called a beach ball so it was apt that the boys who play beach football should profit from it, even if the world’s best right-back also achieved that bend through his astounding technique. He meant it








“The ball is fantastic,” Maicon said afterwards. “But, to tell you the truth, it’s a bit more difficult for the goalkeepers.” It looked pretty awkward for the outfield players, too, but as sublime as his goal was there was an even more memorable moment to come. And it was achieved by a 33 year-old North Korean by the name of Ji Yun-Nam who plies his trade for the less than renowned April 25 club in his ostracised homeland.
In the dying seconds Nam went bam, collecting a ball forward, charging into the penalty area and driving his shot over a frozen — almost literally, by then, because of the biting cold and his lack of activity — Julio Cesar.
They will have been dancing in the streets of Pyongyang, or whatever equivalent celebration the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il allowed, after that one.
The match, apparently, was screened back in North Korea after a late deal was agreed, although there was no official confirmation and even coach Kim Hong Jun did not know. Perhaps the highlights package will expunge Maicon’s goal and Elano’s second — which was also high-class — and concentrate on that consolation. This was, after all, the most famous football team on the planet against the least known.
But the first 45 minutes could not have gone better for the Koreans if Kim Jong-il had scripted it. It was as if the Brazilians were censored by a side growing in belief. Not that this is a classic Selecao. It’s the Dunga variation — more functional, organised but also with a licence, albeit limited, to thrill and the coach was bristling in defending Robinho. “A year ago no one wanted Robinho when he played for Manchester City and I wanted to use him for the national team,” he said. “My biggest sin is that I have an elephant’s memory, I remember far back.”
Maybe the bitter cold did not help. Dunga, in the dugout, made some individual sartorial points with his submarine jumper but at least he wasn’t chilly as his players went through an extensive warm-up. The Koreans were so impressed they stopped theirs and watched — even the most committed Communists know that not everything is equal — but there was boldness from them as well as their expected, relentless commitment and in Jong Tae-Se they had a striker who caught the eye more than the vaunted Luis Fabiano.
Jong is one of only three Korean players employed outside the pariah state — in Japan — and although he was in floods of tears during the national anthem, he composed himself enough to pose a threat to those wily old campaigners, Lucio and Juan. Allowed the concession of wearing coloured boots, the Koreans shone.
This Group G game opened with three long-range sighters from the Brazilians and an outrageous step-over by Robinho but, for a while, that was it. The Koreans defended deep and they defended well. Jong, however, burst forward powerfully and there was a ridiculously ambitious shot from inside his own half from Mun In-Guk while, for Brazil, Fabiano’s clever ball released Robinho only for his shot on the turn to be easily fielded.
Brazil pressed but Kaka was worryingly careless in possession and lacking in belief as well as fitness. He even passed the ball behind Elano and straight out of play which led to both players standing frozen. And that wasn’t just because of the plunging temperature. Maicon’s powerful angled drive showed more promise but, time and again, Brazil were restricted to playing the ball across, rather than into, the penalty area. They lacked penetration. In truth they also lacked flair.
It was clear Dunga was not happy. He was back in the dugout long before his players emerged for the second half and he will certainly have demanded more, which was evident as Brazil started the game and almost sprinted en masse towards the Korean goal. A flea in the ear does that, even to the most established names.
Finally they struck. Maicon, overlapping down the right, collected Elano’s pass and drilled his shot, from almost beside the dead-ball line, between the near post and goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk and into the net. Soon after, Robinho chested down and picked out Fabiano, who blasted over. Suddenly, however, there was another shard of quality, and another goal. This time Robinho bypassed four Korean defenders with a visionary pass to his former City team-mate Elano, running in from the right who, first-time, slid the ball into the goal.
The Koreans weren’t finished and it took a last-ditch tackle from Juan to stop Jong before their moment arrived. “We fought well and we fought bravely,” their coach said. They did indeed.