Brazil beats DPR Korea 2-1 in World Cup

Brazil's Maicon (R) scores past DPR Korea's goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk during a 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 15, 2010. [Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - Maicon's brilliant shot from the acutest of angles and Elano's fabulous goal gave the five-time world champions Brazil a 2-1 winning start as they beat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in a World Cup Group G match on Tuesday.

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Brazil remain the only team to be involved in all World Cups while DPR Korea returned to the stage after a 44-year absence.

Brazil and DPR Korea both played at the 1966 World Cup edition, where the Asians beat Italy to reach the quarter-finals but Brazil exited in the group stage.

As expected, DPR Korea's coach Kim Jong-Hun released a 5-3-2 defence formation, which proved effective as Brazil's attempts to pierce into DPR Korea's defence ended in vain and thus were held 0-0 in the first half.

Brazil began to find the gaps of DPR Korea's defence in the second half as at the 57th minute, Maicon received the cross from Elano and hit a shot from the acutest of angles. Brazil led 1-0.

At the 72nd minute, Brazil made it 2-0 as Robinho passed perfectly to Elano, who made a well-timed shot.

Brazil posed a great pressure on DPR Korea but got loose in their own defence. At the 89th minute, Jong Tae Se, who has scored the last three DPR Korea goals and promised to score at least one goal in all three group matches, headed the ball to the path of Ji Yun Nam, who put in a consolation goal for DPR Korea.

Now favourites Brazil topped Group G with three points, followed by Cote d'Ivoire and Portugal, who tied 0-0 in an earlier match.

Maicon got emotional in a post-match press conference, saying he kissed the ring to thank his wife for years' support.

When commenting on Maicon's brilliant goal, Brazil's coach Dunga was not surprised at it, saying that Maicon's score in this fashion was not the first time as he did this during training sessions.

Dunga also anticipated Kaka's substitution as he has not played a full match in the last five matches.

"I'm not happy with the first half and we changed the rhythm and speed in the second." added Dunga.

Kim Jong Hun, coach of DPR Korea, said that the team carried out their plan in the first half.

"We were well prepared against their tactics. We must pass quickly and we fought bravely," said he."We gained experience from this match and will be more confident to play better next game. We are very happy for the scoring".

DPR Korea's 2-1 loss was the best result between an Asian team and Brazil in World Cup, who met Asian teams twice as in 2002 they beat China 4-0 and humiliated Japan 4-1 four years later.