With the World Cup group stages well underway, lets take some time to review the good, the bad, and the ugly of the  first week of competition.

South Korea – Classy, Ambitious, and On the Rise

Park Ji-Sung’s 1st half strike seals the win for the South Koreans

Match Report (South Korea 2 – Greece 0)

Too quick and too strong for the 2004 European champions, South Korea comfortably booked their first win of the competition last Saturday in Port Elizabeth.   Veteran centerback Lee Jung Soo opened the scoring seven minutes after kickoff, while captain Park Ji-Sung iced off the game 20 minutes later with a magnificent run through the Greek back four.   Check out the full report here

The Good:

With no disrespect to Lionel Messi and group favorite Argentina, South Korea looks by far the class of Group B after their complete domination of a solid Greece side.   Team talisman Park Ji-Sung looks to be peaking at the right time, and the first 11 played with energy and industry not usually seen in the first round of competition.

The Bad:

The Red Devils need to maintain better possession (48% vs. 52% in favor of the Greeks) of the ball and the defense needs to concede less corners (the 11 corners taken by Greece are the most ever in a World Cup competition).  Give that many opportunities to a vicious Argentine team and its…. well, game over for the Red Devils.

The Ugly:

Taking 3 points away from Greece is a move in the positive direction, but Korea’s biggest challenges are still ahead.  Despite their poor performance against Nigeria, Argentina is still the most talented side in the group, and victory against Lionel Messi & crew will not be an easy task.  Nigeria will also be a very difficult match, with the Super Eagles rounding into form and holding the home field edge.  In short, the South Koreans still need a result against one of their next two opponents to guarantee qualification into the knock out rounds.

Next Fixture:

Argentina vs. South Korea:   Not a must win match, but South Korea’s road to the next round would be virtually guaranteed with a result against the group favorites.

Japan – The Blue Samurai Shocks the World

Keisuke Honda’s 39 min goal was the difference in Japan’s victory over Cameroon

Match Report (Japan 1 – Cameroon 0)

The Blue Samurai secured an important, although unconvincing, 3 points in their group E opener against African powerhouse Cameroon.  Long considered to be one of Africa’s dominant sides and led by Champion League hero Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon was the odds on favorite of match.  A moment of magic changed all of that, as CSKA Moscow superstar Keisuke Honda brilliant first touch and controlled finish earned Japan its first World Cup win away from home soil.   Check out the full report here

The Good:

A win is a win.  With games against the stylish Dutch side and the underrated Dane squad coming up, every point will count in what will undoubtedly become a race to the wire.  The brilliant form of Keisuke Honda is also a bright spot for a Japanese squad lacking its usual star power.  With Nidetoshi Nakata retired and Shunsuke Nakamura struggling to find his form, it will be up to Honda this time around to inspire his country to victory.

The Bad:

Time of Possession (42% – 57%  in favor of Cameroon)  / Shots (3 – 9 in favor of Cameroon) / Corners  (0 -3 in favor of Cameroon)…. Although Japan got all three points against its encounter with the Indomitable lions, the Blue Samurai will have to pick up their game if they want to continue further in the tournament.

The Ugly:

Whats up with Honda’s blond hair?  Not digging that style at all.

Next Fixture:

Netherlands vs. Japan:   Similar to their South Korean neighbors, Japan is not expected nor do they need to take points away from the Group favorites.  Regardless of the result, Japan’s contest against the free flowing Dutch should be a treat for all fans Orange or Blue.

North Korea – Honor in Defeat

North Korean fans have every right to celebrate after their exceptional performance against tournament favorites Brazil

Match Report (Brazil 2 – North Korea 1)

The world didn’t expect anything from the North Koreans… and this was before they were placed in the group of death against Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast.  Well, if game 1 against Brazil was any indication of North Korea’s intent, the world was wrong.  Although 2nd half goals by Macion and Elano eventually sneaked through North Korea’s solid defense, a late consolation goal by midfielder Ji Yun-Nam proved North Korea’s worth in this tournament, and in the process, turned the Winged Horses from Group G whipping boys to resilient, if not feared, opponents.   Check out the full report here

The Good:

The North Koreans played the game of their life against Brazil and we have to give credit to where credit is due.  Good game to the North Koreans.

The Bad:

The Brazilians controlled possession (75% to 25%) and out shot the North Koreans 2 to 1.  Imagine if the Selecao were more clinical in their finishing…. the game could have easily been 4-1 / 5-1.  There is always room for improvement, and North Korea must not be lazy in their next two games against Portugal and Ivory Coast.

The Ugly:

Nothing is ugly with the North Korean football team… that tense border situation on the other hand…. yea

Next Fixture:

Portugal vs. North Korea:   No expectations… If the North Koreans come out and defend with the same energy and vigor as they did against Brazil, then anything is possible.  If that level of defensive tenacity isn’t there, then we can expect an easy rout by Ronaldo and Co.