World Cup Digest: Day 5
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Day Five saw Slovakia concede a dramatic late equaliser against New Zealand,
Portugal and Ivory Coast play out a boring 0-0 draw, and Brazil beat a
stubborn North Korean side 2-1.
Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand
Slovakia were always going to be favourites for this one, but conceded a late equaliser in the 94th minute to allow the Kiwis their first points in this World Cup. Robert Vittek's second-half header had given Slovakia the lead, but Winston Reid headed home in the 94th minute for a dramatic injury-time leveller.
Slovakia, who were making their World Cup debut as an independent nation, enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to get the better of a disciplined New Zealand side. Slovakia's star players Marek Hamsik and Vladimir Weiss couldn't penetrate the tough tackling Kiwi defense, and ultimately paid for their sides missed chances by succumbing to a late injury time equaliser by Reid. Reid rose to head Shane Smeltz's left-wing cross beyond goalkeeper Jan Mucha to leave the Slovakian's stunned.
Goalscorer Vittek admitted the draw felt like a defeat. "It is so disappointing to lose a goal in the 94th minute," he said."It is just a nightmare. We could have had three points and at the end it felt like we have lost the match."
Portugal 0-0 Ivory Coast
This game promised so much but delivered little in the way of entertainment. With all they hype surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his form coming into the World Cup, he failed to impress in his side World Cup opener. Portugal simply lacked ambition and quality in the final third. Ivory Coast were courageous in defence with the likes of Didier Zokora and Kolo Toure impressing throughout. Sven Goran Eriksson's showed unity and plenty of team spirit despite their talismanic striker Didier Drogba missing from the starting line up.
The game badly needed an early goal and closed either side came to scoring was when Ronaldo struck a post. There were glimpses of real attacking intent from both sides, but all too often defensive and midfield players remained pinned back. Both sides are going to have to improve in the next game if they are going to qualify alongside clear favourites Brazil in this 'group of death'.
Brazil 2-1 North Korea
Goals from Maicon and Elano gave Brazil the three points against a North Korean side who showed they were just their to make up the numbers. North Korea held out for almost an hour before conceding to Maicon and Elano. Ji Yun-nam's 88th-minute strike set up a nervous final few minutes for the Samba stars but they ran out winners in the end.
The five-time world champions were frustrated by a resilient first-half defensive display by the North Koreans, 104 places below their opponents in Fifa's rankings. Dunga must of have had some stubborn words at half-time for his team as the Brazilian's showed more attacking intent as the second-half got underway. The North Korean's who were playing five at the back eventually surrendered the lead after a moment of inspiration from Maicon in the 50th minute. The right back bombed down the right wing, and fired a stunning shot with outside of his right boot from an acute angle to beat the goalkeeper. Whether he meant it or not is still up for debate, but no one take away the best goal at the World Cup to date.
Robinho was very impressive throughout, and set up his side's second goal with a perfectly executed through ball to the feet of Elano who finished smartly in the 72nd minute. The Koreans, who showed plenty of heart and determination, were rewarded for their efforts when Yun-Nam Ji broke into the area and clip into the back of the net late on. This will surely please their eccentric leader Kim Jong-il.
With the group of death now under way, Brazil look a certainty to qualify, but Portugal and Ivory Coast should be weary of the ambitious North Korea side.
Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand
Slovakia were always going to be favourites for this one, but conceded a late equaliser in the 94th minute to allow the Kiwis their first points in this World Cup. Robert Vittek's second-half header had given Slovakia the lead, but Winston Reid headed home in the 94th minute for a dramatic injury-time leveller.
Slovakia, who were making their World Cup debut as an independent nation, enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to get the better of a disciplined New Zealand side. Slovakia's star players Marek Hamsik and Vladimir Weiss couldn't penetrate the tough tackling Kiwi defense, and ultimately paid for their sides missed chances by succumbing to a late injury time equaliser by Reid. Reid rose to head Shane Smeltz's left-wing cross beyond goalkeeper Jan Mucha to leave the Slovakian's stunned.
Goalscorer Vittek admitted the draw felt like a defeat. "It is so disappointing to lose a goal in the 94th minute," he said."It is just a nightmare. We could have had three points and at the end it felt like we have lost the match."
Portugal 0-0 Ivory Coast
This game promised so much but delivered little in the way of entertainment. With all they hype surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his form coming into the World Cup, he failed to impress in his side World Cup opener. Portugal simply lacked ambition and quality in the final third. Ivory Coast were courageous in defence with the likes of Didier Zokora and Kolo Toure impressing throughout. Sven Goran Eriksson's showed unity and plenty of team spirit despite their talismanic striker Didier Drogba missing from the starting line up.
The game badly needed an early goal and closed either side came to scoring was when Ronaldo struck a post. There were glimpses of real attacking intent from both sides, but all too often defensive and midfield players remained pinned back. Both sides are going to have to improve in the next game if they are going to qualify alongside clear favourites Brazil in this 'group of death'.
Brazil 2-1 North Korea
Goals from Maicon and Elano gave Brazil the three points against a North Korean side who showed they were just their to make up the numbers. North Korea held out for almost an hour before conceding to Maicon and Elano. Ji Yun-nam's 88th-minute strike set up a nervous final few minutes for the Samba stars but they ran out winners in the end.
The five-time world champions were frustrated by a resilient first-half defensive display by the North Koreans, 104 places below their opponents in Fifa's rankings. Dunga must of have had some stubborn words at half-time for his team as the Brazilian's showed more attacking intent as the second-half got underway. The North Korean's who were playing five at the back eventually surrendered the lead after a moment of inspiration from Maicon in the 50th minute. The right back bombed down the right wing, and fired a stunning shot with outside of his right boot from an acute angle to beat the goalkeeper. Whether he meant it or not is still up for debate, but no one take away the best goal at the World Cup to date.
Robinho was very impressive throughout, and set up his side's second goal with a perfectly executed through ball to the feet of Elano who finished smartly in the 72nd minute. The Koreans, who showed plenty of heart and determination, were rewarded for their efforts when Yun-Nam Ji broke into the area and clip into the back of the net late on. This will surely please their eccentric leader Kim Jong-il.
With the group of death now under way, Brazil look a certainty to qualify, but Portugal and Ivory Coast should be weary of the ambitious North Korea side.
