North Korea lose only 2-1 to Brazil in a shock result. That was the general consensus; well the general consensus was wrong. North Korea are an incredibly well organised team who can defend if their lives depend upon it (which according to some more right wing types is actually the case). It can largely be accepted the World Cup so far hasn’t exactly set the world alight. Games have been dominated by negative play, poor tactical nous and pretty dire performances from some of the world’s best. Germany aside we haven’t seen any nation take a game and show us what they are capable of and before the New Zealand game we hadn’t had the drama that captures imagination, and even that game for around 90 minutes wasn’t exactly one that makes you sit up and realise that this is the greatest competition in the world.
Joga Bonito isn’t dead, it never exisited
Brazil are now a very well organised, functional unit who still have their moments of fantastic flowing football but these days they are a side without the personalities and are a “team”. Many have pointed to the samba spirit being remise and the true Brazilian art form of football being dead, but simply put; the egos got in the way and if Brazil wanted results (which are expected from the most successful nation of all time) they would have to adapt. Dunga has got Brazil playing a functional and free flowing system that is interesting to watch and still offers the moments of excitement that many expect from a Brazilian side. They won’t go out and win games by four or five goals, but they will win games. Club form goes out the window for Dunga as well, if you fit his system and play well for him, that’s good enough. Robinho is perhaps the most obvious example of this, thriving in his role as the key creative outlet on the left.
The Underdogs?
North Korea on the other hand, ranked a lowly 105th in the world, many gave them no chance. But why not?! Just because we haven’t been exposed to them much is no reason to assume they are dreadful. They are well drilled outfit playing a formation resembling a 3-5-2 and every player will press and double up on attacking player because of their high defensive numbers. Whilst up front they have genuine quality in Jong Tae Se (The Asian Wayne Rooney) who is a real talent on and off the ball. The most interesting aspect of the side is that for a team so defensively orientated they really can have a go at attacking on the break.
2000/1 means nothing
In the game against Brazil, North Korea were quite frankly superb. Their pressing frustrated Kaka, Robinho et al and on the break there was a real look of danger from Jong Tae Se, who before the game even began etched his name into World Cup folklore crying during the national anthem in a moment that screamed to the footballer inside of us all. The frantic defending and tackling was as far as defensive play goes, thoroughly entertaining and the backs to the wall 2000/1 World Cup hopeful’s style clearly endeared them to the public. The shut of nation suddenly becoming the one everyone wanted to do well, such is the underdog story.
In truth a match against Brazil wasn’t the best way to open their World Cup and had they featured in another group, or even started against Portugal or Ivory Coast we’d perhaps be talking about North Korea’s first point or even victory at this World Cup. They were undone in the end by a marauding Maicon (once again underlying the value of a top class fullback) and one of the most beautiful passes we are likely to see this summer. When they did grab a consolation goal, it was fully deserved and perhaps a little disappointing it came so late. The final whistle had many wondering why they weren’t celebrating, clearly forgetting they had in fact lost the game, such was the brilliant performance from North Korea. A team who displayed more class, guile, organisation and spirit than the large bulk of the teams we’ve seen so far. This was the game the World Cup needed to get it going and this is the game that epitomises what it’s all about. Now if they can get something off of Portugal or Ivory Coast we may be talking about North Korea for a long time to come.
The Vuvuzela View 