North Korea took on the greatest power in world football and, in the end, were narrowly defeated 2-1 in the group G encounter.
After a goalless first half, Brazil looked very relieved as they took a fortuitous lead from Maicon's cross-shot on 54 minutes. When Elano tapped in Robinho's inch perfect pass 17 minutes later it would have been easy for the Chollima's in red to sit back, relax and watch the samba football unfold in front of them.
But Ji Yun Nam scored a goal he will never forget to narrow the gap with two minutes to play. The wonderful Jong Tae Se knocked down to the midfielder who controlled perfectly first time before taking a second touch as he advanced towards goal and flashed a left foot drive over Julio Cesar.
Brazil attacked for the remainder of the game, desperate to put a gloss on the scoreline, ignoring the dangers of the Korean counter attack. But neither side could muster a last gasp goal and will leave Ellis Park with varying degree's of happiness.
The Democratic Peoples Republic held Brazil at arms in the first half and even looked capable of hitting the five time world champions on the break through the thrilling talents of Tae Se.
Known as Inminui (the peoples) Rooney, the lone striker was overcome with emotion during his national anthem and one feared the occasion could get the better of him. On the contrary, Tae Se was a shining light in the first half, running Lucio and Juan very close to ragged.
He held up the play expertly, dribbled and harried. A superb outlet for his under siege defenders that is sure to have European clubs calling up Japanese translator's to open dialogue with Kawasaki Frontale, for whom Tae Se scored 19 goals in his last 38 J-League games.
The gleaming white socks and glow of lemon jerseys on plush green grass left nobody in doubt that, Brazil are in town and the World Cup is in full swing. But aside from Robinho, this is a side lacking some of the flair and imagination of old. Kaka is far from the player which graced the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in the last decade. Often looking laboured, the Galactico misplaced several passes and failed to make any telling incision through the underdog defence.
The waves of red-shirted defenders thwarted more than just Kaka, and only Manchester City's temperamental forward looked to have the confidence to take the game to the Korean's.
The second half continued along the same lines, with Brazil only creating chances from outside the box. Bastos' driven free kick and Robinho's volley both flying wide. La Selecção were becoming increasingly frustrated until Elano made his contributions. First providing the pass to the byline for Maicon, from which, the fullback gloriously mis-hit a cross (pictured) which went past the badly placed Ri Myong-Guk before swerving inside the back post.
Robinho then produced the pass of the World Cup so far, scything through two defenders into the path of Elano, who made no mistake, side footing first time into the corner.
The performance of DPR Korea, ironically playing with a lot of freedom, will give food for thought to Portugal and the Ivory Coast, who before this match would have considered the Asians as cannon fodder. But thanks to Kim Jong Hun's organisation and Tae Se's rousing display as a lone frontman, they may have to think again, it is not just the south who can advance to the knockout stage.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Felipe Melo (Ramires '84), Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Elano (Daniel '73), Kaka (Nilmar '78), Robinho, Luis Fabiano
North Korea (5-4-1): 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 '80), Hong Yong-jo, Jong Tae-se.
Referee: V Kassai (HUN)
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