The FIFA World Cup Thread #1/Sports Thread Special #1 For 6/21/10: 7-Heaven For Portugal, 7-Hell Romp And Goodbye For North Korea

Photo from Getty Images and Fifa.com

The final analysis:
Well.....Portugal turned into Brazil and North korea turned into China.

It was the best I have seen Portugal play since 2004, as they showed full cutting edge from everyone else other than Ronaldo and Simao. Contreas down the left flank today was massive, and what could you say else about Almedia, Meireles, and Tiago. Plus, getting the captain a long awaited return to the scoresheet was great to see, as he displayed the total mature out of him instead of the total opposite against Ivory Coast.

It was a total 180 for Portugal, and a total 180 for North Korea, now the 2nd team gone here from this Cup.

And it looks set for the Ivory Coast to join them in the elimination bracket. Just think about the luck of the draw....while Portugal got North Korea for their 2nd match, the Ivory Coast get Brazil.

The luck of the draw seems to be the difference in Group G. And Didier Drogba's shoulder injury as well.

Man of the Match....well, the fans have made it into a total joke now. I think FIFA will make this be the last time fans vote for the man of the match ever again after this Cup:

The full review.

Group G standings:
Brazil 6 pts (+3)
Portugal 4 pts (+7)
Ivory Coast 1 pts (-2)
North Korea 0 pt (-8)

And the match Archive:

Lineups:

Portugal: Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Carvalho, Ronaldo, Simao, Mendes, Miguel, Meireles, Almeida, Tiago, Coentrao

North Korea: R Myong-Guk, C Jon-Hyol, R Jun-Il, P Nam-Chol, R Kwang-Chon, J Yun-Nam, J Tae-Se, H Yong-Jo, M In-Guk, P Chol-Jin, A Yong-Hak

Prediction: I see a draw here, simply because of Portugal's willingness to push forward, and I think that will play into the hands of North Korea's very sneaky and dangerous ability to counterattack.

1st half analysis:

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

Very encouraging if you are a fans of Portugal, as they kick off a very important day for the two Iberian nations.

They actually showed a cutting edge, and it didn't have to come from Ronaldo. It was a fun pass from Almedia to Meireles, as the Porto man finished from his Werder Bremen teammate. It was a great through ball, one of the passes of the tournament so far, and a great run off of it from Meireles to tuck in a calm finish.

The fact that they scored a goal without their captain involved is very refreshing to see for Portugal fans. Maybe they can survive without Nani in attack.

And Portugal's defense has shown well again, and that is one thing you have to give credit to Carlos Quieroz and their side. They certainly have one of the world's most underrated backlines, as it being anchored by the also underhyped but always terrific Ricardo Carvalho shows no signs of giving the Koreans a clear chance here.

But don't discount the PRK yet, as they showed some edge in the 1st half, and will fight to the bitter end to stay alive in this tournament.