Brazil wear down tough Koreans

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Maicon and Elano scored second-half goals as Brazil broke through a solid North Korean defence to win their opening World Cup match 2-1 yesterday.

Brazil escaped with a hard-fought victory in the Group G match after struggling to get past the defensive set-up of the North Koreans, who are making their first World Cup appearance in 44 years and, at No. 105, arrived as the tournament's lowest-ranked team.

"The opener is always harder," Brazil coach Dunga said. "There is the anxiety, the players are more nervous than usual, trying to do too much. But we are satisfied."

Maicon scored at Ellis Park after a through ball from midfielder Elano in the 55th-minute, making a run on the right side and shooting into the far corner from a tight angle as North Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk moved wrongfully in anticipation of a cross.

Elano then added to the lead in the 72nd after a well-timed pass from Robinho, finding the net with a one-timer from inside the area.

Ji Yun Nam pulled one back for North Korea in the 89th with a left-footer from inside the area.

The victory gives Brazil first place in the group after Portugal and the Ivory Coast drew 0-0 in their opener earlier yesterday.

"It is important to start with a victory and we did it," Maicon said. "It was a good step toward our goal of being in the final on July 11."

Brazil controlled possession from the start, but struggled to break through the Korean line-up with five men at the back. Robinho was about the only Brazilian able to create some dangerous opportunities.

He took advantage of his nifty skills to give Brazil their first chance just two minutes in, using a step-over move to clear a defender and set up Kaka inside the area. But the playmaker failed to get a shot off as North Korea's An Yong Hak stole the ball.

Robinho had his own chance with a long-range shot that missed the target in the seventh, and with a quick strike from inside the penalty area that was saved by Ri in the 20th. Robinho cleared a defender again inside the area in the 34th and set up Michel Bastos' shot that missed over the crossbar.

"It wasn't our best match, but at least we got the win, that's what matters now," Robinho said.

The defensive-minded North Koreans played with only Japan-based Jong Tae Se in attack, but he was able to cause some problems to the Brazilian defence. He got past three defenders in the 12th but his weak shot was easily saved by Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

The Koreans also had chances with a few long-range shots, but Cha Jong Hyok missed the target in the 17th and Ri Kwang Chon missed in the 32nd.

"I thought we fought bravely. We defended very well," North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun said. "I think we gained a lot of experience and for the remaining two games, we have gained confidence."

Line-ups

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo (Ramires, 84), Elano (Daniel Alves, 73), Kaka (Nilmar, 78), Robinho, Luis Fabiano.

North Korea: Ri Myong Guk, Cha Jong Hyok, Ri Jun Il, Pak Nam Chol, Ri Kwang Chon, Pak Chol Jin, An Yong Hak, Ji Yun Nam, Mun In Guk (Kim Kum Il, 80), Hong Yong Jo, Jong Tae Se.

Today's games

Honduras vs Chile at 6:30 a.m.

Spain vs Switzerland at 9 a.m.

South Africa vs Uruguay at 1:30 p.m.