‘This beautiful game never ceases to amaze!’

Imagine playing for your country at the World Cups, knowing that back home your land is in complete turmoil. So much so, that you have had to hire supporters from China to the tournament, you have trained for the tournament in secret due to security concerns and none of the matches you play will be telecast live in your homeland. To top it all, you will be facing an above average team which happens to be ranked number one in the World and manages to become extraordinary every time the World Cup starts. That in a nutshell was Brazil's opponent Korea DPR during the last world cup. The sight of striker Jong Tae-Se in tears during the anthem clearly indicated how much playing in the rainbow nation meant for this team, for this country.

The passion was evident from the first min as the Koreans played a tight and disciplined formation. In defense, they matched the five time world champions as every Brazilian pass was intercepted, every run was stopped and every shot was blocked. North Korea were not overawed by the occasion and definitely not by the opponents as tried to knit their own attacks as well. At half time, the Vuvuzelas’ were silent- the Brazilians were clearly shaken. The second half started with the same determination from the Koreans but Maicon's intended cross somehow curled inside the goal and gave Brazil a hard fought lead. After that the match was controlled by the Samba warriors and in the 72nd min, Robinho's delightful through ball found Elano, who slotted home comfortably. The match seemed over until the 89th min when Korea miraculously found the zeal to pull one back. What followed was a pulsating end to the game, as Korea charged forward with every ounce of energy left, and Brazil desperately defending to prevent the first major upset of the tournament. In the end it was not to be, Korea could not find the equalizer and Brazil got all three points. However, I think I speak for the world when I say that though Korean players will be upset, they have got every reason to hold their heads high. It’s not every day that you play a World Cup and it’s definitely not every day that you get the better of Brazil. Korea have done the first part, a few hours earlier...they almost did the second!