Samba stumble

Finally the draw of the big guns entering the competition. Brazil to play Tuesday and then Spain to play the following, a lack of goals, negative football, and a ball that's too round are all opinions banded around by pundits with too much time and not enough to say (and Andy Townsend). Finally we have entertainment, the carnival has come to town, fast, free-flowing football from the favela kings. But alas it wasn't to be. Fabiano looked a little lost on the pitch and Kaka seems to be struggling with the Real demons. this should be his world cup, he's the perfect age to make this his time to shine, and with the football he's capable of everyone should be willing him to play the football we all saw at the San Siro. A World Cup with an on form Kaka, Messi, Rooney, Ronaldo, Xavi et al would be a thing of beauty, so far Messi in glimpses and a shot from Ronaldo is all we've had.

There were a couple of redeeming features in Robinho and Elano. Robinho had an interesting time in Manchester but has by all accounts had a marvelous time back in Brazil with Santos. Elano is one the players Mark Hughes under rated to his peril at Eastlands. they were in superb form, looked sharp, quick and had the dancing feet we've been hoping for. Brazil not the classic teams of the past but a team you'd expect to overcome the unknown quantity of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. They created a stir from the off, especially seeing Jong the striker crying during the National Anthem.

Game wise it was far from a classic, Korea lined up with a back five, and Brazil struggled to break them down. Jong looked alive from the start, neat player and direct. Always looking to get forward, they were a handy team, a little naive but better than predicted. Brazil tried playing through them and eventually got a break through with a cracking strike from Maicon, but not until they'd been held to a goalless first half. Elano wrapped up the win with a tidy finish from a beautiful through ball from the irrepressible Robinho. In the closing minutes of the game Korea got the goal they had deserved throughout.

Would love to seen both Korean Republics in the last 16.