Anyone who says there's not enough scoring in soccer should have awakened early this morning to watch today's first World Cup match between Portugal and North Korea.
The Portuguese put up a touchdown against the Asian side, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack, encountering lighter resistance today than he did when met at the door by Homer Simpson in the oft-played Nike commercial.
It was still anybody's contest at halftime with the Iberians ahead only 1-0. The North Korean players had hope. Neither did their fans back home, watching what's believed to be the first-ever live broadcast of a national soccer team game played outside of the country.
After what happened in the second half, that TV audience won't be clamoring for a sequel. Portugal scored three goals in a seven-minute span early in the half, followed by three more strikes in eight minutes late in the game. Ronaldo broke through in the 87th minute. The 7-0 final gives the Portuguese a plus-nine goal differential over the Ivory Coast, so even if Portugal loses to Brazil in the last group stage game (as long as it's not by half-a-dozen) it will advance to the knockout round.
Onto Group Gm which has become the group where the two teams that don't advance will be Honduras and whoever beats on Honduras the least. Spain whipped the Central Americans, 2-0, Monday and should have scored several more times.
David Villa's fabulous run in the 17th minute gave the Spaniards their first goal of the tournament. Villa blasted a second ball home from 25 yards in the 51st minute, but inexplicably dribbled a penalty kick wide right 11 minutes later, denying himself the hat trick.
Spain now has three points and so does Switzerland, which shocked the Spaniards last week but lost to Chile, 1-0, Monday. The South Americans now lead the group with six points and a plus-two goal differential and play Spain (plus-one differential) on Friday. If Spain defeats Chile it will qualify for the last 16 and could win the group.
Chile could still qualify with a loss. Everything depends on how badly Switzerland (zero goal differential) slaps around Honduras.
Despite their squad's bleak results, the Honduran fans pictured in the stands on ESPN appear to be enjoying themselves. I can see them starring in a Master Card commercial:
Goals scored? None.
Games won? None.
Average game time temperature? 45 degrees.
Average temperature back home? 85 degrees.
Seeing your team live at the World Cup? Priceless.
TUESDAY SCHEDULE
(All times Central)
Group A -- France vs. South America, 9 a.m. (ESPN2)
Group A -- Mexico vs. Uruguay, 9 a.m. (ESPN)
Group B -- Greece vs. Argentina, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Before arriving in Wisconsin, Mark was a TV sports director at stations in Greensboro, the Quad Cities and Fort Smith, Arkansas. He got his first job at the ABC affiliate in Syracuse during his junior year at Syracuse University where he majored in TV and Radio at the Newhouse School.
Mark is an avid fan of all sports. He covered the Packers at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans and has also reported on the Final Four, the Daytona 500, the Rose Bowl, the NLCS and the PGA and U.S. Open golf championships. He covered the GMO for 20 years. Mark played soccer in high school and is a passionate supporter of "The Beautiful Game." One of his greatest experiences was attending a UEFA Champions League game hosted by Real Madrid at Bernabeu Stadium.
Mark was born in Philadelphia but has happily made the transition from cheese steaks to cheese heads and is thrilled to now call Wisconsin home. He is currently president of Concannon Communications LLC and working on projects involving, writing, producing, voice-overs and public relations.
