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Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR (15 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR (15 Jun 2010)Winner: Brazil
Score: Brazil(2) vs Korea DPR(1)
55′ Maicon (1), Brazil
72′ Elano (1), Brazil
89′ J. Yun Nam (1), Korea DPR

Recap

Brazil is too cocky as they quickly turned the gas pedal on where Elano got to see the goal for a chance to score which just went off target. A few seconds after Robinho had his chance it went wide. Brazil is getting a lot of possession on the first ten minutes of the game. Korea’s first shot on goal came on the 11th minutes where J. Tae Se shoots it up but was a great save by Julio Cesar of Brazil.

Brazil controlled the game and already had three corner kicks before Korea got their first corner kick on the 29th minute.

Throughout the game Brazil took their time setting up play from midfield where Korea DPR wasn’t challenging and was waiting for them on a stone wall defense. Korea patiently waiting for Brazil to attack, challenge and run for a counterattack.

This is a frustrating first half for Brazil where people expected them to have score a goal or two. I admittedly dismissed Korea from my pre-game analysis of Brazil vs Korea DPR. I expected Brazil to score 5 to 8 goals for the game.

When second half came, Brazil continued with getting the possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Brazil had a chance to score on a free kick from top of the key. Brazil scored 11 goals directly from free kick and other team has had more. Robinho shot the free kick from top of the box but was wide left.

Brazil then exploded in joy on the 55th minute when Maicon scored a goal from the right of the key. Video found here — Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR Maicon Scores first Goal for Brazil.

On the 72th another goal by Elano gave Brazil 2 points. The video is found here — Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR Elano Scores second Goal for Brazil.

On the 89th minute Korea stunned everyone when J. Yun Nam scored a goal and Korea was celebrating triumphantly. The video is found here — Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR J. Yun Nam Scores first Goal for Korea DPR.

Key Takeaway

Korea was dismissed early on where Brazil was expected to make one goal after the other against Korea. Korea DPR is the lowest ranking team in FIFA World Cup and the five time World Cup champions Brazil should have an easy win. As it turned out, Korea DPR stayed with the team powered by high profile players in Robinho, Kaka, Luis Fabiano.

There was a lot of pressure for Brazil to score and they had a sigh of relief when did so in the second half. Brazil was looking to close with 2 goals ahead of South Korea when the Asian team scored on t
he 89th minute.

Brazil with all its power could only get a 1 goal lead which shows the potential of the Korea DPR. Group G just became a lot more interesting.

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Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR J. Yun Nam Scores first Goal for Korea DPR

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Brazil’s second goal against Korea DPR via a goal from J. Yun Nam,.

Below is the video of that goal:

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Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR Elano Scores second Goal for Brazil

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Brazil’s second goal against Korea DPR via a goal from Elano.

Below is the video of that goal:

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Match & Result: Brazil vs Korea DPR Maicon Scores first Goal for Brazil

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Brazil has finally scored their first goal against Korea DPR via a goal from Maicon.

Below is the video of that goal:

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Match & Result: Ivory Coast vs Portugal (15 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: Côte d'Ivoire vs Portugal (15 Jun 2010)Winner: Draw
Score: Ivory Coast(0) vs Portugal(0)

Recap

This was an evenly matched game where two of the worlds greatest footballers in Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo are playing against each other. I was disappointed however that the game ended with no goals scored. A draw is fine given the matchup but at least both of them should have scored.

Ivory Coast showed a great attacking side anchored on the combination of Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Aruna Dindane. Portugal on the other hand relied heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo who was defended very well by Ivory Coast.

Key Takeaway

This is one of the strongest and most difficult group and if any of them one then it would them an advantage going into the next round. Nonetheless, it was best that both teams ended up in a draw which would just make the group a lot more stronger.

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Match & Result: New Zealand vs Slovakia (15 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: New Zealand vs Slovakia (15 Jun 2010)Winner: Draw
Score: New Zealand(1) vs Slovakia(1)
50′ Robert VITTEK (Slovakia)
90’+3′ Winston REID (New Zealand)

Recap

I wrote the first line saying that Slovakia has won the game as I have said in my pre-game analysis (New Zealand vs Slovakia) about the teams advantage other the other when Winston Reid suddenly hit the miracle shot of the game.

New Zealand didn’t show they were the underdogs in the tournament as they played with confidence and flare. Early on New Zealand Chris Killen
streaked past the Slovakian defense to shoot towards the goal which went above the bar. A few minutes later Killen had a header which just shot wide. These two instances in the first five minutes made the Slovakian team up the tempo with their players attacking New Zealand.

Key Takeaway

What could have been an easy win for Slovakia turned out to be a competitive match much to the surprise of Slovakia. To worsen things for the European team, New Zealand waited for the last few seconds before tying the score as the two team finished with 1 point each.

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Miracle Shot by Winston Reid, first World Cup goal for New Zealand

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That was a miracle shot by Winston Reid of New Zealand who delivered the first goal for his country in 28 years. What is amazing is that he done it with a few seconds left in the clock and finishing the game tied with Slovakia.

Below is the video:

Match & Result: Italy vs Paraguay (14 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: Japan vs Cameroon (14 Jun 2010)Winner: Draw
Score: Italy(1) vs Paraguay(0)
39′ Antolín Alcaraz (Paraguay)
63′ Daniele De Rossi (Italy)

Recap

Marcello Lippi came back from retirement to coach Italy where he has kept 9 veterans in the team to the dismay of a lot of people.

The game in Italy was crucial in determining if Italy can defend their title but the game clearly showed how many steps Cannavaro has decline given his age of 36. Buffon allowed a header goal which is you did not often see in the early stages of 2006.

Paraguay came with guns blazing and they did not disappoint as they had better rhythm and fluidity throughout the game both in offense and defense. Antolin Alcaraz scored a header goal on the 39th minute.

Italy had a number of chances and good looks to score a goal but could not deliver most of the time until De Rossi got one very late in the game.

The best Italy could do was draw a game against a lesser competitor and if Italy doesn’t regroup they would not be able to defend their title.

Key Takeaway

Italy is favored to win his match or even the World Cup as they are the defending champions. Marcello Lippi came back from retirement to lead Italy where he was criticized for his decision of keeping 9 veterans in the team including Buffon and Cannavaro. Italy didn’t have a convincing win and they have a lot to catch up in offense and defense.

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Match & Result: Japan vs Cameroon (14 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: Japan vs Cameroon (14 Jun 2010)Winner: Japan
Score: Japan(1) vs Cameroon(0)
39′ Keisuke Honda (Japan)

Recap

Japan coach Takeshi Okada received so much bad press and pressure for his resignation given his decision on the team lineup to leave off more high profile players in key positions and build a team lineup not accepted by the Japanese people. Japan has never won on foreign and people are skeptic of their ability to provide a run for the money of their opponents. I myself never expected that Japan are going to the FIFA World Cup; but I am rooting for them against Cameroon as I am an Asian.

Cameroon was favored to win not only because their are an African Nation but because they have one of the best African players in Samuel Eto.

Samuel Eto was shutdown as Japan were like flies on defense closing down passing lanes, challenging in droves to stop Cameroon and Samuel Eto to go into a rhythm. The only brilliance Samuel showed was when he blew past three guys by the corner flag and setup Choupo Moting for a good shot to the goal.

Japan’s goal came in the 39th minute when Keisuke Honda shot a short range left side goal.

Key Takeaway

Japan’s reputation if any at all on international stage is a grey area given that the Asian country has never won on foreign soil. Their win puts them on top of Group E alongside Netherlands. Their next opponent is Denmark who lost to the Dutchmen which means Japan can win the game and could go on the next round. Japan coach Takeshi Okada should be a happy camper.

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Match & Result: Netherlands vs Denmark (14 Jun 2010)

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Match & Result: Netherlands vs Denmark (14 Jun 2010) Winner: Netherlands
Score: Netherlands(2) vs Denmark(0)
46′ Simon Poulsen (Denmark) * own goal by denmark
84′ Dirk Kuyt (USA)

Recap

A lot of people were surprised with the pre-match decision of Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk to make Bayern Munich experienced star player Arjen Robben a substitute.

The early stages of the game saw both Netherlands and Denmark tight on offense and defense exchanging possessions back and forth. The first goal chance only came 20 minutes after from Wesley Sneijder and Thomas Enevoldsen who was way off the goal.

Netherlands had a slighter edge in the aggressive department especially Rafael van der Vaart who is proving to everyone why is the starting player instead of high profile Arjen Robben. Rafael had two scoring opportunities shooting slightly off target on the goal.

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen almost made a costly mistake like the one committed by Englishman Green on a shot by Dutch Dirk Kuyt.

As half-time approached both teams are yet to score and the pressure is bigger for Netherlands who came into the game with a record of 19 straight wins. The half ended with both teams still looking for a goal.

Just a minute after the second half started, Netherlands scored courtesy of Denmark Simon Poulsen who was trying to head away a cross from Dutch Robin van Persie. People are going to blame Simon Poulsen for this but Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is also to blame who should have met the cross in front of him and deflecting it simultaneously. Nontheless, Simon is going to take this one on his record.

The defensive formation of Denmark could not hold with the attacking Netherlands’ offense as shown by Van Persie who had a clear shot of the goal only to be beautifully saved by Sorensen.

Five minutes left into the game and because Netherlands’ only goal came from Denmark Simon undermine the win by Netherlands, the Dutchmen continued to be aggressive which was rewarded quickly when Dirk Kuyt easily kicked the ball into the goal since goalkeeper Maarten forwarded to deflect an attack and could not back right away.

Key Takeaway

Netherlands is known for their attacking style and they did just that during the game having a lot of clear shots to the goal. The score could have been bigger if it wasn’t for the save of Denmark’s goalkeeper. Denmark needs to look at their defense as it opens up a lot of clear shot to the opponent.

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