Brazil, Italy Beaten In World Cup

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 17

Brazil, Italy Beaten In World Cup

(N.Z.PA. Reuter —Copyright) LONDON. The World Cup soccer championship overspilled with shocks yesterday with the almost certain exit of Brazil and the elimination of Italy.

Brazil’s 3-1 defeat by Portugal confirmed earlier suspicions in the tournament. After eight years of world soccer domination, the brilliant Brazilian football machine has broken down. Nothing however, had prepared the football world for North Korea’s 1-0 defeat of Italy, one or Europe’s strongest challengers. North Korea, unknown hitherto, has improved with every match. Now it has written a startling page in the history of the Jules Rimet Trophy comparable only with the defeat of England by the United States in 1950. - The defeats of Brazil and Italy overshadowed the remainder of yesterday’s programme, in which Argentina beat Switzerland, 2-0, and Uruguay and Mexico played a goalless draw. Made Nine Changes

Brazil made nine changes for yesterday’s match—a mass alteration which hinted at

desperation and so it proved. The defence was again shaky and with Pele limping injured after half an hour, the Brazilians were never, in the hunt.

Now Portugal, playing in the final-series for the first time, leads group three with maximum points. It owes everything to a close-marking rearguard and a thrustful forward line in which Silva Eusebio has emerged to share Pele’s mantle as the greatest forward in the world. Eusebio (2) and Simoes were Portugal’s scorers and Rildo scored for Brazil, which long before the end looked only a shadow of the Brazil ian 1958 and 1962 teams. In theory Brazil still has a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals with Portugal, depending on Bulgaria beating Hungary by 3-0 today. But in practice even the most ardent Brazilian fan does not expect this to happen. Missed Chances The Italians missed two chances early on against North Korea and gradually their form and morale sagged and they fell back on defence. The loss of the inside-right and captain, G. Bulgarelli, with strained knee ligaments 10 minutes from half-time was a blow, but on previous form should not have been fatal. Within seven minutes, however, a first-time shot from 15 yards out by Pak Doo Ik put North Korea ahead and it never lost the initiative. It had not been expected that the North Koreans would be able to challenge Italy, though the Italians have been out of form. But the speedy, lively North Koreans never let up in their all-out attack. Running with great enthusiasm and stamina they continuously harrassed the Italians.

The sharp short-passing of the Koreans stood up better in the gusty conditions. Although they were often astray in technique, especially with their long-passing, they made up for this with their determination, speed and quick recovery. Group four’s programme is completed today by a fixture between Russia, which is already assured of qualifying, and Chile. Only a shock win by Chile will prevent the North Koreans from entering the last eight. Never Tested Argentina as expected, was never tested by Switzerland in their group two match and second half goals by L. Artime and E. Onega gave the South Americans a comfortable win. West Germany needs only to draw with Spain today to qualify with the Argentinians. Spain must win to go forward but seems unlikely to trouble the efficient German team. Missed chances and further concentration by Uruguay in the closing stages on defence alone, made yesterday’s group one fixture an uninteresting clash. The Uruguayans are definitely in the quarter-finals and England must be expected to join them after its match against France today. Only defeat by a margin of more than one goal would thwart the host country’s bid for further progress.