Portugal v. North Korea 7-0 21/Jun/10

Second Round, Third Game, Group G, Day 11. (30 of 64)


Ronaldo lucky to score.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


This is the first match of the tournament in which we saw a clear and overwhelming team that did not make a single mistake and procured to exploit their opposition's mistakes. Seven goals came as the national pride of the Asiatic nation was shattered into shreds. They will be going home early as expected by the "reasonable" punditry around the world. Even when Jong Hun's men (is it correctly spelled?) surprised us with some special moves and a very decent goal against Brazil, the main fact was that they did not offered much of a competition and the Portuguese took advantage and strolled past them in quite a fashion.

This match ended Cristiano's goal drought that had lasted for about 16 months but that won't matter as they take Brazil in the over-hyped match the following 25th that we've already previewed in the last post. What is to note is who will apparently get the punishment of facing EURO 2008 champions Spain since the Iberians recent form could put them in a position of facing either Brazil or Portugal: a final?



Modelling session?
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


In spite of the outrageous result there was a bit of a concern since the Portuguese opened the score until the thirtieth minute. Before that, there were a bunch of chances: one by Carvahlo that hit the post in the 6th; Jong Hyok thundering wide strike in the 11th; Yong Jo cross in the 18th. It was in the 29th that the Portuguese unleashed their wrath after Simao set Meireles in the box to later finish. With the rain now getting heavier, the Europeans were cautious enough to not let spaces for Yong Jo to filter balls. Nevertheless the damage was done and it was more likely that the Portuguese midfield seized the game rather than the North Koreans made some sort of epic journey into glory.


It was until the second part that the Queiroz made some subtle tactical changes and the downfall, as the pouring rain at Green Point, began. Six goals, all scored from the 53rd onwards made the Korean team, which impressed at some specific times, a feeble copycat of a Sunday league amateur team. It was Meireles -eight minutes from the start- who after a great succession of pin-point passes returned the favour to Simao who finished deftly. The following goal arrived three minutes later when Hugo Almeida headed past Myong Guk. The play was a typical counterattack in which Thiago released Coentrao who crossed for the Bremen striker.

The damage was apparently done but more pain came from Portuguese four minutes later when Almeida, Ronaldo and Thiago associated to finish the game off. Although no more attacking opportunities came from the Koreans in the remainder of the match, Queiroz's men Meireles and Ronaldo missed their targets, the latter being a cracking shot which was deflected in the bar. Liedson, who was the replacement of Almeida, stroke a powerful volley ten minutes before the end in his first touch of the match. The following two goals were a strong statement regarding the fatal state in which the Korean defence manifested itself: Ronaldo got a gift from the centre-halves and after some rebounds over his head he found the ball and took it past the keeper; the second, was a well-timed header from Thiago as Veloso crossed.