World Cup Round Up: Groups G and H

Group G

Brazil And Portugal Canter While Ivory Coast Bow Out

Ironically, the group that seemed the tightest on paper was the only one that lacked a nail-biting finish. Portugal’s seven strike outburst against a dispirited North Korean squad gave them the edge going into the final day, and their snoozer of a 0-0 with Brazil saw those two sides slide into the last 16.

The ludicrous sending off of Kaka marred the group stages for Brazil

First things first. Dunga’s Brazil are real contenders. They may not exude the flair for ‘Joga Bonito’ which the purists demand, but all that will be forgotten if they can capture the ultimate prize. Dunga has fashioned a side in his own image, and their base is in a rock solid back four. The defensive trio of Julio Cesar, Lucio and Maicon showed their obstinance while guiding Inter Milan to the Champions League, and they are joined by the veteran Juan and Michel Bastos. Bastos, a winger by trade, could be a potential weak link, but it will take an excellent team to expose him.

The back four are augmented by two shielding players, in Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo. The link between the lethal Luis Fabiano is the key for this side, and when Kaka, Elano and Robinho were missing against Portugal, they struggled creatively. The Samba stoppers did their job though, and Cesar was rarely called into action as they plucked the point they needed against an obliging Iberian outfit.