Pretoria- Five-time soccer world champions, Brazil, kicked off their World Cup campaign with a stunning 2-1 victory over Korea DPR on Tuesday night.
The Samba Boys came out in full force against a lackluster North Korean side and showed once again why they have won the coveted prize five times.
The Koreans, led by skipper Hong Yong Jo, failed to attack a much stronger and experienced Brazilian side.
Although the teams failed to capitalise on opportunities afforded to them in the first 45 minutes, they did however play an entertaining first half.
When the North Koreans created goal scoring opportunities, An Yong Hak and Pak Chol Jin, would disappoint with their poor finishing.
In the second-half, Man of the Match, Maicon, was in his element. Upfront, Luis Fabiano, Elano, Robhino, Kaka and Gilberto Silva began to show their killer instinct.
In the 55th minute, the North Korean defenders had themselves to blame when they gave Maicon space to run into the box.
From an acute angle, Maicon easily beat the North Korean goalie RI Myong Guk who did not position himself well to make what could have been a brilliant save.
The Asian team did not give up even after Elano scored the second goal for Brazil in the 72nd minute. With only one minute before the final whistle blew, JI Yun Nam scored a consolation goal to make it 2-1.
The two goals in the second half from defender Maicon (55) and Elano (72) were enough to boost the 2009 Confederations Cup champions' confidence and give them a comfortable lead in Group G.
Brazil is now topping group G with three points, followed by the Ivory Coast with one point with Portugal in third position
It remains to be seen if Brazil will be able to keep up their winning streak against a determined Ivorian side.
The two teams will face each other in a second group G match at Soccer City on June 20.
