Portugal spanks N Korea

Portugal's 7-0 win over North Korean was fully deserved, but you had to feel a little bit sorry for the Asian side; it was more than a match for its European counterparts in the first half in Cape Town, but fell to pieces in the second. And the team couldn't even blame altitude.

It is a result that is bound to not go down well back home (if they ever get to hear about it), but for the Portuguese and their legions of fans who filled the Cape Town Stadium, it was a day to remember, despite the pouring rain and biting cold.

It also signals a warning to the other title contenders that Crissy Ronaldo and co are hitting form at the right time.

The French Disconnection

Meanwhile, over in Bloemfontein, Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says he will ring the changes for his side's crunch match with France today, Tuesday, a game BB needs to win by a healthy margin to reach the second round.

Two of those changes are enforced with midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune suspended, but you also get the feeling he is giving a few players a run as he knows in his heart of hearts that this will be their final game at the tournament.

He may as well have a go too as the French side's stunning implosion at this tournament has been both desperately disappointing and highly embarrassing for those back in Paris.

But I have said all along that all three of Bafana's opponents in Group A have the ability to self-destruct, and the French just have... It's just a pity that the other two, Mexico and Uruguay, have managed to keep it together.

Hey, Shiv, what about a little respect

Finally, I had a chuckle to myself at the latest statement to come of the ANC Youth League, whose spokesman, that well-known football coach Floyd Shivambu, has called for the axing of Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena as he "makes costly mistakes".

Mokoena does make the odd error, yes, but show me someone on the Bafana side who does not, and anyway, what would the muppets (or should that be puppets?) in the ANCYL know about it? They wouldn't be jumping on the public opinion bandwagon just to try and win more support from the masses would they? Surely not ...

I noted how, when a North Korean player was substituted on Monday, he made a slight bow to the coach on the sidelines as a sign of respect. If only Shivambu would show a similar respect to Mokoena, a player who has won 103 caps for his country, and whose tireless charity work off the pitch is changing the lives of many in the country.

Fat chance though, heh?

Image sourced from www.fifa.com