Everyone was expecting a bloody massacre at the Ellis Park, for in spite of all that was expected Brazil hardly deserved the three points. The players were lacking the energy and determination to create danger in their opponent's area. Maicon was the bearer of Brazil's hopes, by starting most of the dangerous opportunities and performing outstandingly in the back line.
The Korean squad started the game ready to resist Verdeamarelho's furious blows, and the first half of the match worked as expected for the Asiatic team. The loneliness of Jong Tae-Se in the last meters of the field could never worry Julio Cesar, who presented no signs of pain after having suffered a back injury a few weeks ago. The goal in the last three minutes injected the players with a shot of much needed confidence before their next match, as they might have no time to lose if their goal is to advance to the best sixteen.
King of the bands
In general numbers Brazil showed no real creativity or desire in the game, but from the wings two referents of Dunga's strategy arose. Maicon was the keeper of Brazil's advance, assisting Kaka in the right wing while connecting with Robinho when the ball finally got through the Korean defense. Michael Bastos showed he deserved his place in the left wing and surprised everyone as a brilliant executor of free kicks. It seems like Roberto Carlos has finally found a successor in Brazil, as the enormous potency of his blows reminded everyone why Brazil has always been the nation with most wingers in the world.
The third responsible for this triumph was Robinho. Assuming a dual position in the midfield and the last meters, young Santos' player was perfectly tuned for this match, assisting with a delicious pass Elano in the second goal and joining Maicon constantly in almost every attempt for Ry Myong-Guk goal.
The first goal was indeed a controversial one. At the beginning of the second half Maicon run for a long pass and shot furiously against Korea's goalkeeper, who didn't expect such violent burst from Internazionale's winger: The ball hit the left side of the net and the Brazilians could breath once again by taking the lead of the game. A few minutes later Robinho send a long pass that got all the way through Korea's defense and managed to get in front of Elano, who didn't waste his opportunity to increase the advantage.
Under a rain of applauses Elano left the field to give Daniel Alves an opportunity to return to a World Cup game after four years. A few minutes later Kaka gave his place to Nilmar, and in the last minutes a new Brazil could be seen, with a strong presence in the right wing. On minute 79 an interaction between Dani Alves and Nilmar could have tasted the net, but the ball finally went too high.
Robinho kept making his team play and suffered a number of fouls during the last minutes. Nilmar was given another opportunity to score but the shot went straight into Korea's goalkeeper hands.
Whatever works
Korea did whatever they could to stop Brazil's advance, and for 55 minutes the strategy worked wonders. Team's goalkeeper could have been responsible for the first goal, but remained confident during the rest of the game and the advantage could have been much higher without him between the posts.
On minute 89 a free kick was given for the Asiatic squad. Jong Tae-Se assisted with a header Ju Yin-Nam, who shot between Brazil's packed back line. There was nothing for Julio Cesar to stop the goal, which gave the last minutes of the game the dose of adrenaline everyone was expecting. Jong Tae-Se has a chance to even the score during the first additional minute, but the shot was poor.
A tough match for Korea and a tough win for Brazil. This group might show some surprises by next week, as it was shown during this game. Will Kaka be able to perform at his best for Brazil's next game?
