World Cup: Now back to our regularly scheduled program - Los Angeles Times
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World Cup: Now back to our regularly scheduled program

By Kevin Baxter
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North Korea sure picked the wrong day to make a little broadcast history.

After delaying the telecast of its World Cup team’s gallant game against tournament favorite Brazil for 17 hours, state-run television decided to air Monday’s second game against Portugal live in what is believed to be a first for a North Korean soccer match aboard.

Alas, the North Koreans were not ready for prime time, losing 7-0 in one of the most one-sided games in World Cup history.

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North Korea has a team at the World Cup for the first time in 44 years. And the last time that Portugal and North Korea played was in the quarterfinals of the 1966 World Cup in England. Portugal rallied from three goals down to win that match 5-3.

-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg, South Africa

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Kevin Baxter

Kevin Baxter writes about soccer and hockey for the Los Angeles Times. He has covered seven World Cups, four Olympic Games, six World Series and a Super Bowl and has contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning series at The Times and Miami Herald. An essay he wrote in fifth grade was voted best in the class. He has a cool dog.

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