Brazil secured a 2-1 win against Korea DPR but they were made to work extremely hard to secure maximum points after the Asian outsiders showed impressive resilience. The Koreans kept the Brazilians scoreless until ten minutes into the second half when Maicon scored a stunning goal from an outrageous angle. Elano doubled the lead midway through the second half and the contest appeared all over, but a late goal from Ji Yun-Nam ensured Brazil endured some nervy moments in the final minutes.
On paper the contrast between the pair could not have been starker, in what was the first match between the two nations. Five-time world champions Brazil, are currently placed at the top of FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking while Korea DPR sit at 105. The Koreans came into the contest on a run of eight outings without a victory, while Brazil conversely, had won their previous four matches.
The first half was largely all Brazil, though they had very few clear sights of goal, and Korea DPR weren’t without their own lively moments going forward. Defender Cha Jong-Hyok fired a shot wide, while Japan-based striker Jong Tae-Se, who had tears streaming down his face as the national anthem played, looked particularly keen to offer drive in his role at the point of the attack.
Kaka made a dangerous run into the penalty area in the opening minutes, which seemed likely to set the tone for the match, but a Korean side which conceded just seven goals in their 14 qualifying matches are known for their swarming defence in their own third.
The nearest Brazil came to scoring in the first half was through a Michel Bastos drive from distance which clipped the roof of the net but, in truth, the shot never looked like dipping under the crossbar.
Korea DPR went into the half-time interval looking relatively comfortable, despite conceding 63 per cent of possession. The Koreans no doubt allowed themselves at least brief thoughts of repeating the heroics of their nation in that famous defeat of Italy at England 1966.
Brazil started the second half brightly, and a Bastos’ free-kick from a central position looked dangerous, but the blistering effort curved wide of the mark. As did Robinho's snapshot moments later, as Brazil were often forced to resort to shooting from distance.
Ten minutes after the interval, a moment of brilliance from Maicon broke the deadlock. There appeared little danger as he chased down a slightly overhit pass into the penalty area, and with the ball just about to roll over the byline, he blazed a shot between Ri Myong-Guk and the near post, in a goal reminiscent of fellow Brazilian right full-back Josimar at Mexico 1986.
The goal opened up the match as the Koreans started to show more endeavour with numbers going forward. Luis Fabiano looked set to take advantage midway through the second half after being set up by Robinho but the Sevilla man could not find the target.
The contest appeared over as Elano comfortably finished past an exposed Ri Myong-Guk with 18 minutes remaining, with Robinho the provider thanks to an exquisite pass that check-mated the entire Korean defensive quartet.
It was A Selecao who looked more likely to score, but with two minutes remaining Ji Yun-Nam burst into the penalty area and drove a memorable past Julio Cesar - Korea DPR's first goal at a FIFA World Cup™ for 44 years.
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