N.Korea make Brazil labour, Drogba enters action

North Korea scored their first goal at a World Cup finals for 44 years on Tuesday but lost 2-1 to five-time winners Brazil after a spirited performance.

Brazilian stars Kaka and Robinho found their reputations counted for nothing against North Korean players who chased every ball in chilly conditions at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

Cheered on by 50 red-clad North Korean supporters who had flown in to South Africa that morning, the Koreans contained mighty Brazil in the first half before finally cracking when Maicon scored from a tight angle on 55 minutes.

Elano doubled Brazil’s lead with a quarter of an hour remaining after collecting a pinpoint Robinho pass.

But just as the North Koreans seemed to be tiring, defender Ji Yun Nam burst into the Brazilian penalty area, took a header from their Japan-based striker Jong Tae Se and blasted the ball past goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun, who had leapt to his feet after his side scored, praised his players in their isolated country’s first appearance at a World Cup finals since 1966 when they stunned Italy in England.

“The Brazilian team is very strong and although we were unable to win the game, I felt my players fought very well,” he said.

“We didn’t win, but we have picked up some confidence and I think we will do well in the next two games.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were held to an uneventful 0-0 draw by Ivory Coast in the earlier Group G match in Port Elizabeth.

Ronaldo hit the post with a curling long-range shot, but it was one of the few entertaining moments of a drab match.

Ivory Coast superstar Didier Drogba, who broke his arm in a warm-up match, came on as a substitute with his arm protected by a cast, prompting accusations from Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz that he was given special treatment by FIFA.

“You have players who can’t wear a string bracelet or plaster, yet here is a player who has fractured his arm and who could put our players at risk with his cast,” Quieroz said.

“Drogba is an African superstar and we want to know if all the rules will be the same for everyone – he was allowed to play with a cast, perhaps the rules will be changed.”

New Zealand were back on the World Cup finals stage for the first time since 1982 and celebrated after snatching a dramatic 1-1 draw with Slovakia in the opening match of day five in Rustenburg.

The Kiwis’ Zealand defender Winston Reid atoned for a mistake which led to the Slovaks taking an early second-half lead when he headed the equaliser three minutes into stoppage time.

Reid, who played for Denmark at under-age level before switching allegiance to the country where he was raised, failed to cut off a Stanislav Sestak cross five minutes into the second half and Robert Vittek headed home.

Slovakia were making their World Cup debut while it was the first point for New Zealand following heavy losses to Scotland, the Soviet Union and Brazil in Spain 28 years ago.

With defending champions Italy and Paraguay drawing Monday, the four Group F teams have a point each after the first series of matches as they target a top-two finish and a ticket to the knockout second round.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, a member of the 1982 squad, hailed the draw as the greatest result achieved by the football team in a country obsessed by rugby union.

“We came across with the intention to make a difference and certainly did that against a highly rated team. We are very, very proud. You would have to say this is our best ever result.”