SoccerBible World Cup Update - 15/06/10

Editor — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:29:00 GMT

Day 5 of the 2010 World Cup promises goals with Brazil in action, and the tournament is in need of some flair after Ivory Coast v Portugal and Italy v Paraguay ended in dull draws.

With the likes of Kaka, Robinho and Cristiano Ronaldo in action today, we would hope to see some footballing skill and flair on the biggest stage in world football. And We'll also get a feel for which teams are looking strongest, as we come towards the end of the first round of group games.

There's been plenty to discuss at the World Cup, along with some interesting boot spottings, some great team play and plenty to look forward to. Check out the SoccerBible's view on the latest goings on in South Africa...


Daniel Agger (Denmark) adidas F50 adiZero	Lucas Barrios (Paraguay) Puma v1.06
Contrary to popular belief (including ours), defenders can wear the adiZero football boots, as proven by Denmark's Daniel Agger. This season Agger has worn a variety of football boots including Under Amour dominate, Nike CTR360 and Lotto Leggenda.	It took a second glance to figure out Lucas Barrios was wearing Puma v1.06 football boots against Italy, the all-white football boots certainly looked good with the Paraguay socks and their blue lacing system.


Antonio Di Natale (Italy) Asics Tigreor	Dirk Kuyt (Holland) adidas Predator X WC
Asics aren't a brand with the biggest representation at the World Cup, but it was interesting to see Antonio Di Natale wearing his Asics Tigreor football boots, featuring a very similar colourway to adidas at the World Cup.	Kuyt was wearing the adidas Predator X WC football boots, and had opted to wear the PowerSwerve sole-plate. Kuyt isn't the first player to prefer the PowerSwerve technology, as Beckham also opts for the older sole-plate.


Thomas Sorensen (Denmark) Nike Talaria Custom	Keisuke Honda (Japan) Mizuno Wave Ignitus
Sorensen has surprised us by sticking with his Talaria football boots, that he's been wearing all season for Stoke. We thought Sorensen might change into the Elites or another colourway to match the Denmark kit.	Honda was the player to watch against Cameroon. The freekick specialist was playing in the Wave Ignitus boots, and could take full advantage of the Jabulani ball. Unfortunately, we saw none of these things, but he did manage to score the only goal of the game.

It's the first set-piece to feature in our play of the day, which selects a highlight from the previous days action. Both Italy and Paraguay set out two banks of four, so it was always likely the opportunities to create chances would be few and far between, making set-pieces a vital part of the game. And it was Paraguay who took their chance, shocking Italy with the opening goal of the game from a very well executed play.

Paraguay won a free-kick just inside the Italian half, and after pushing players forward Aureliano Torres curled in a wicked free-kick. Alcaraz leapt above both Cannavaro and De Rossi, to take advantage of some slack defending and power home his header into the corner of the net, surprising the defending World Champions.

Brazil come to town - Brazil v North Korea (Group G)

This must watch game of the day was a tough one to call, with Portugal and the Ivory Coast also facing each other. However, a lot of people are intrigued by North Korea as we know so little about them, and as the World Cup has delivered so few goals, this could be a game where we see some exciting attacking play from the Brazilians.

Brazil's key player Kaka has had a poor season by his own high standards, although he has been hampered by injuries at Real Madrid. Kaka will be looking to have an impressive World Cup to remind everyone of his ability, and Brazil rely on the adiPure players technique, skill and passing to drive the team.

We will know a lot more about what kind of threat North Korea pose tomorrow morning, but ahead of the game tonight, the player to watch could be Jong Tae Se. The bustling striker, who plays in Nike Elite CTR360 Maestri football boots, could be able to conjure something out of nothing.

Will Brazil record an emphatic victory or will the unknown North Koreans surprise everyone?...have YOUR say and share your opinions on the World Cup now!

World Cup : Italy, Brazil, North Korea, Paraguay

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 15/06/10