From Behind the Stumps

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Day 5: South Korea vs. Togo; Switzerland vs. France, Brazil vs. Croatia

South Korea 2 --Togo 1

MOHAMED KADER (Togo) 31'
CHUN SOO LEE (Korea) 54'
JUNG HWAN AHN (Korea) 72'

South Korea chalked up their first victory as they downed African side Togo, two goals to one earning them a top spot for their group by virtue of the day's other match between France and Switzerland. Both teams were tentative in the opening minutes of the game as Korea tried to press forward but soon Korea paid the price when a high ball was deftly controlled by Kader who took a good look at the goal and fired one home to give the the African nation the lead and shock the world. Soon after the half Togo were reduced to ten men when their skipper Abalo collected his second booking of the day to be sent off. This set up the Red Devils for a dangerous free-kick just outside the box and Chun Soo Lee stepped up to convert the set-piece from a brilliant strike that set the record straight between the two teams. Jung Hwan Ahn, hero of the 2002 World Cup for the Red Devils was brought in to take the game home and the move paid off when in the 72nd minute Ahn was allowed the space and time to take a good look at the goal and send the ball exactly where he wanted to giving Korea the lead and sealing some points.

Considering that this was Togo's first appearance and their pre-match problems they really put up a good performance to hold the Koreans for as long as possible but the Sparrowhawks really needed to hold their composure after the sending off. They needed to take a page out of the book of Trinidad & Tobago when avery John collected his second yellow to be sent off but the T&T held its ground and didn't allow the much fancied Swedes. Full points to the Korean side as they notched up a victory but they at times played very defensively, their greatest strength is their pace on and off the ball and need to utilise that more in the upcoming matches.

Switzerland 0 -- France 0

Another drab performance by another over-rated team as France were shockingly held to a draw by Switzerland. To their credit I must say that France were denied a penalty for a clear handball and one of the Swiss should have been sent off for deliberatley trying to punch the ball into the French goal, but that still should not be enough for them to put on such a performance. Neither team looked too impressive as they were content to play it out in the midfield but France looked very lethargic and unrushed. The Swiss on the other hand looked to be more active but did not have the quality to convert their chances, hence the reliance on punching the ball. Switzerland were content on letting Les Bleus make the errors and then capitalise but like I said they had a hard time converting. Bad match, bad play by the teams and a bad result from a much looked-forward game.

Brazil 1 -- Croatia 0

KAKA (Brazil) 44'

This was the match the world was waiting for as the defending champions took to the field to defend their title. I must digress at this point and vent out at FIFA for making two changes that have really made no sense to me with regards to the defending champions. One, defending champions have to go through the qualification phase, I feel that defending champions should have the right to automatic qualification. Imagine a World Cup where the defending champions do not qualify. Secondly, the opening match should be that of the defending champion since I believe it signifies a continuation of the champs. Going back to the game, this match was always going to be a good fight between Croatia, who made it to 3rd place in the 98 Cup, and the Seleção. The Brazilian squad looked like a who's who of footballing legends and upcoming stars as they squared off with a determined Croatian squad and they showed their spirit in this game as they opened up many chances but failed to convert them. Both teams had plenty of chances in the first half as they tried desperately but unable to score, as the game looked to be going back and forth but just before the half-time whistle Kaka unleashed a furious shot from outside the box as it sailed away into the corner to net the champions their first goal.

Croatia gave a good fight to the Brazilians who seemed to me a tad bit rusty but that should disappear as the tournament progresses. The Balkan team should take heart in their performance as I feel they were a bit unlucky to have not converted some of their chances.

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