by Tom Allen
Brazil took a while to warm to their task against North Korea on Tuesday but
they eventually got the job done comfortably and should follow up against Ivory
Coast.
Dubbed the Group of Death as soon as the draw was made, Brazil bagged the
three points they needed in their opener thanks to strikes from Maicon and Elano
and North Korea's late consolation ultimately flattered them.
As with much of the World Cup so far, Brazil, despite their array of
attacking talent, found it tough to break down a spirited North Korean side and
it was a surprise to many that the opening strike only came after the interval.
Brazil will surely improve for the outing however and shouldn't have much to
fear from an Ivory Coast side inferior in virtually every department.
While there has been much talk over the past week of the failings of such
fancied runners as England and Spain, Brazil have once again crept under the
radar at a World Cup finals and quite how they have drifted in the betting is
beyond me.
A win for Brazil over their African opponents on Sunday will all but seal
their place in the second round and while Spain could be potential opponents in
the knockout stage, that scenario was always possible.
It was no surprise to me to see such a timid clash between Sven Goran
Eriksson's side and Portugal in the first round of matches in Group G, defeat
for either would have been almost terminal, but Ivory Coast offered very little
in attack and even the introduction of Didier Drogba late on as a substitute
failed to inspire.
While Drogba was unable to link up effectively with Salomon Kalou on his
return from injury, Ivory Coast were well organised defensively and the closest
Portugal came to nicking all three points was a trademark Cristiano Ronaldo
long-range effort which thumped the post.
Ivory Coast will face strikers of superior quality in Johannesburg however
and Brazil are tipped to maintain their perfect record.
With goal difference possibly the key factor in such a tight section, Brazil
know that a point probably isn't good enough and Dunga's men certainly wouldn't
want to face Portugal in their final match with progression riding on the
outcome.
I have Brazil, with the likes of Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Robinho to call upon,
much nearer the 1/2 mark and that means the 4/6 with VC Bet appeals. I'm really
looking forward to seeing them in action and this could be night where they
wrestle outright favouritism for their great rivals Argentina with a convincing
display.
2pts Back Brazil (vs. Ivory Coast) @ 4/6 (Victor
Chandler)
