Since there dosen't seem to be a thread for this I thought I'd make one. So, Brazil 0 North Korea 0 after half time. I didn't think NK would be a pushover but still. And Jong dosen't look out of his depth out there one bit, something makes me thing he won't be at Kawasaki for too much longer...
Re: General World Cup Discussion Ultradefensive soccer seems to be the buzz at this WC so far, North Korea vs Brazil being possibly the epitome. But How could it be otherwise? An opened game would result n Brazil winning by 4 or 5, let alone the fact that North Korea's defensive players are really making an impression, possibly winning contracts in Japan or elsewhere in Asia. They're SO MUCH BETTER than some of the Brazilians we see in Japan... Maicon just put ahead Brazil with an amazing shot. One North Korean did not follow the overlap, and that was enough... Amazing skill by Maicon. 0-1 would still be a great result for NK. Let's see if they can stay together now!
Yun-Nam (DPKR's #8) messed it up for his team. On both occasion he lost his man, both goals came from his zone. Too bad for North Korea, but that's life in the big city...
Especially after Yum-nam makes up for his previous mistakes and pulls one back... The boy could not stop smiling for like 2 mins after the goal... Wow, additional time two minutes only... damn FIFA...
absolute pleasure to watch that game. Jong was great, sign of class when his opposition level steps up a tier and he automatically steps up with the task. Any side would be lucky to have him. You could see how emotional he was at teh national anthem he was never ever going to consider playing for Japan. East Asia 6pts from 9, GF/GA: 4-2.
Bendtner likely ruled out for Cameroon game. Sorry for the boy (even if he's one of the most arrogant young players on the planet), but an advantage for Japan. If Denmark doesn't beat Cameroon, no matter how bad we do with Holland, a tie on Round 3 is enough to go through. Which also prompts me to say that Italy not beating Paraguay means we're not sure about which team will be #1 and #2 in that group. If Paraguay comes out better than Italy in the following two games (hard, but not impossible), we can DREAM of a Japan-Paraguay game to go to Top 8. A few steps ahead of reality perhaps, but, hey...
You mean he think's he's one of them? About Brazil-North Korea game. I have to agree with gorus' opinion - tactict is more important than beautiful play. But it was great! Seeing this kind of team competeiting against one of the WC favorites is amazing. This keeps up the football alive and makes it most unpredictable sport in the world. Great goal by Ji Yu Nam and Jong should move to Bundesliga from Frontale. Also you should hear a great work by commentators here in Poland who really tried to spell Korean names (it was really fun!) and anyone here was jumping when Korea scored. That's what WC is for - to make hundreds of people around the whole world enjoy the games. Even if it was very similar to Japanese game, even if NK lost and Japan won, overally Korean side won over Japanese 1:0.
I don't think that anyone who watches the J-League on a consistent basis is really surprised how well Chong Tese did.
Definitely, no other "zone" has grown so much. Let's hope all three teams keep it up. (...especially Japan! )
True, alot of posters in the korean forum called him overrated and bashed him cuz he´s playing in J-League, now he´s finally getting the recognition he deserves. And Japan getting the win against Cameroon, don´t you just love it when everyone who doubt you gets proven wrong
Hey! Don´t forget about us (China - France 1-0) Altho i know you ment the WC hehe but surely it was a surprising result Anyways good luck to all three teams, as Golazo said, you guys are making East Asia proud. (Just don´t do it at the coming AC )
I started watching the game as a neutral spectator, but the moronic Japanese commentators really made me go for the Swiss side very early in the game... After whining for the whole match (Aaaah!! Why should there be a crossbar there??), now they're wiping each other's tears in an aftergame show probably cheesier than those on simultaneously in Madrid... Why in the world do the Japanese commentators go always and only for famous players? If there is a country that should appreciate underdogging, it is exactly Japan, but... "Fernando Torres, Fernando Torres, Fernando Torres, Fernando Torres......" Aw, shutup, will ya...??? THANKS SWITZERLAND!! GO CHEESE EATERS!!!
if its any consolation its exactly the same, if not worse, in Norway. The commentators ( especially one of them, our coach at the Euro 2000 games Nils Johan Semb) all sound starstruck, and are praising the top nations' players even though they are not doing that well. Like if it's Iniesta that is doing a trick, or completes a nice pass, its suddenly world class and fantastic, but if its for example Barretta (like in today's game between Spain and Switzerland) they barely bother mention it, and/or call it luck.
Sani Kaita may have just done South Korea a huge favour, stupid red card which puts Nigeria down to ten men and has allowed a terrible Greece side back into the match and now they score with a freak deflection...
After Round 1 and a bunch of Round 2 games, seems to me that the four moist solid teams are (surprise, surprise...) Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy... I believe the real surprise would be if (as I hope) Japan, South Korea and the US, so far 3rd rank teams, make it out of the groups, de facto becoming 2nd rank.
The only teams playing nice, offensive football I like are Argentina, Germany, Spain and Chile. After that Brazil, Netherland, Portugal, IC and Mexico. I don't know why You wrote Italy among those three teams when they struggled to tie against Paraguay (which was better that night imo) but that's probably Your point of view as an Italian. And also - SK should advance to the next round if they play 100% against Nigeria because simply they play better quality football. It wasn't their fault that they had to play against THIS Argentina and Higuain doesn't score hat-trick every game.
Italy had more shots, more possession, twice the corner kicks and totally dominated the second half. Besides the goal, Paraguay had very little, even when they put on a very good game in general -- they did not beat Brazil and Argentina by chance in the qualifiers... Few teams have on the bench as much quality as Italy, and if Italy wins its group, will get as next opponent either Denmark or Japan... A big chance to proceed to Best 8, meaning three games only left to the title, and without meeting any top team. But the reason why (since before the WC started) I say Italy and Germany will do well is because 80% of the times they DO well, while Holland, France, Spain and England (two World Cups won in total, that's half than Italy alone) are way more prone to stumble out. The loss of Buffon, of course is a major blow and the reason why I don't think Italy will win in the end. Please do not think I am biased. I don't really like Italian soccer and I don't have a strong feeling toward this team. But I know them and Lippi well...
Well, it was their fault that Higuain was three times COMPLETELY alone in front of he goal, but I still believe they'll pull it through, and so will do he US. Japan, I really believe at this point is 50-50.
Koreans got THUMPED! I love it! There is a great chance now that they won't advance. Nigeria only has to beat them head to head, with Greece losing to Argentina a foregone conclusion.