Classy Portugal punishes DPRK 7-0
Source: Agencies |
June 22, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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CRISTIANO Ronaldo finally ended his dry spell for Portugal with a quasi-comical goal, but the real drivers behind Portugal's sumptuous 7-0 rout of North Korea yesterday were midfielders Raul Meireles and Tiago.
Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the side that started in the goalless draw with the Ivory Coast, one of them forced, the others designed to spur his side into scoring.
The coach has been criticized for his inability to make the team cap fine displays with goals, but yesterday his changes and approach led to Portugal's biggest ever win at World Cup finals.
"It was a great display, good goals, great attitude. We needed a moment like this, a well-played game so that the motivation and confidence can be even bigger now," Queiroz said.
Ironically, it was the substitution he was forced to make with Deco's hip injury that worked best. Tiago was involved in everything Portugal did well.
His toe-poke through ball for Meireles' opener eliminated four players from the move, proving he can fill Deco's boots. He was also involved in Portugal's third, feeding the lively Fabio Coentrao, and grabbed two himself as Portugal ran riot.
Meireles' instinct for moving into space for his opener was seen again several times as he roamed the North Korean half at will. His touch to Simao Sabrosa - another change, starting instead of Danny - for the second made it easy for the winger.
Until Meireles opener, a thumping looked unlikely as the North Koreans withstood a powerful first 10 minutes from Portugal to balance the game out and give Eduardo a few scares. In that period, and again to Queiroz's credit, right back Miguel showed more resilience than Paulo Ferreira had last week.
But once Portugal claimed its first, it became clear Queiroz's instructions has been followed - score, secure the win and then make qualification almost certain with a rout.
The win moves Portugal into second place in Group G with four points, two behind Brazil. The Ivory Coast has one point, and North Korea is out of the tournament after two straight losses.
Praise
The North Koreans had earned widespread praise for their battling defensive effort against Brazil but, contrary to most predictions, they were far more positive yesterday.
Conditions were made treacherous by relentless rain and both sides unleashed long range shots. Cha Jong-hyok fizzed one just wide while a parried Hong Yong-jo effort fell to Pak Nam-Chol but he headed over.
In Port Elizabeth, Chile kept its place at the top of Group H with a bitterly-fought 1-0 win over a stubborn 10-man Switzerland yesterday.
Second half substitute Mark Gonzalez headed home a cross from Esteban Paredes with 15 minutes to go to finally break down a tight Swiss defence that had earlier broken Italy's World Cup record of 550 minutes without conceding a goal.
The match lived up to its billing as an ugly midfield stalemate, with the Swiss crowding out center of the pitch and smothering Chile's free-flowing attacks even after having Valon Behrami sent off in the 31st minute for violent conduct.
Behrami was adjudged to have elbowed Vidal, who slumped theatrically to the ground clutching his face.
Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the side that started in the goalless draw with the Ivory Coast, one of them forced, the others designed to spur his side into scoring.
The coach has been criticized for his inability to make the team cap fine displays with goals, but yesterday his changes and approach led to Portugal's biggest ever win at World Cup finals.
"It was a great display, good goals, great attitude. We needed a moment like this, a well-played game so that the motivation and confidence can be even bigger now," Queiroz said.
Ironically, it was the substitution he was forced to make with Deco's hip injury that worked best. Tiago was involved in everything Portugal did well.
His toe-poke through ball for Meireles' opener eliminated four players from the move, proving he can fill Deco's boots. He was also involved in Portugal's third, feeding the lively Fabio Coentrao, and grabbed two himself as Portugal ran riot.
Meireles' instinct for moving into space for his opener was seen again several times as he roamed the North Korean half at will. His touch to Simao Sabrosa - another change, starting instead of Danny - for the second made it easy for the winger.
Until Meireles opener, a thumping looked unlikely as the North Koreans withstood a powerful first 10 minutes from Portugal to balance the game out and give Eduardo a few scares. In that period, and again to Queiroz's credit, right back Miguel showed more resilience than Paulo Ferreira had last week.
But once Portugal claimed its first, it became clear Queiroz's instructions has been followed - score, secure the win and then make qualification almost certain with a rout.
The win moves Portugal into second place in Group G with four points, two behind Brazil. The Ivory Coast has one point, and North Korea is out of the tournament after two straight losses.
Praise
The North Koreans had earned widespread praise for their battling defensive effort against Brazil but, contrary to most predictions, they were far more positive yesterday.
Conditions were made treacherous by relentless rain and both sides unleashed long range shots. Cha Jong-hyok fizzed one just wide while a parried Hong Yong-jo effort fell to Pak Nam-Chol but he headed over.
In Port Elizabeth, Chile kept its place at the top of Group H with a bitterly-fought 1-0 win over a stubborn 10-man Switzerland yesterday.
Second half substitute Mark Gonzalez headed home a cross from Esteban Paredes with 15 minutes to go to finally break down a tight Swiss defence that had earlier broken Italy's World Cup record of 550 minutes without conceding a goal.
The match lived up to its billing as an ugly midfield stalemate, with the Swiss crowding out center of the pitch and smothering Chile's free-flowing attacks even after having Valon Behrami sent off in the 31st minute for violent conduct.
Behrami was adjudged to have elbowed Vidal, who slumped theatrically to the ground clutching his face.
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