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Developers World Championship: Match Report - Brazil v Republic of Ireland (Group G)

Leds! (Brazil) vs Lights Off (Republic of Ireland)

Developers World Championship: Match Report - Brazil v Republic of Ireland (Group G)
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BRAZIL Leds! (MusiGames)

VS IRELAND Lights Off (Steven Troughton-Smith)

Ahhhh, Brazil. Pelé, Zico, Sócrates, Ronaldo, Romário, Ronaldinho. Those yellow shirts. Those mesmeric dribbles. Those insane lobs over aging, ponytailed keepers from the halfway line.

Of course a great record at the footballing World Cup, even a five-times World Championship winning record, counts for precious little in the harsh back-light of iPhone app battle.

Hence, even a lone gunner, in the form of Irishman Steven Troughton-Smith armed with his Tiger Electronics-inspired Lights Off, had a chance on the day.

On being handed Ireland’s teamsheet one hour before kick-off, the seleção’s director of football, under increasing pressure from unnamed sponsors, did a hasty about-face.

To a cavalcade of flashes from supporters and reporters alike, Lights Off and word puzzler Leds! emerged from the tunnel on what proved to be a balmy, barmy evening.

Kick Off: 7.30pm, 11th June

The critical view: Once the pendants had been exchanged, Brazil set about its business in quick fire fashion, peppering the Republic of Ireland's onion bag with 700 sideways-scrolling, partially obscured neon words.

Credit where credit’s due, Lights Off survived this early torrent, primarily through some smooth animations and attractive artwork on the part of the full-backs.

Set up in an unconventional five-five-zero formation, the Irish team were seemingly playing from memory. The training drills and set piece rehearsals were evidently paying dividends in this important clash.

As the fourth official dutifully raised the scoreboard to indicate two minutes of added time, Leds!’s bright and colourful wing play fashioned an opportunity.

Without hesitation, the South Americans’ fox in the box swivelled, pirouetted through 90 levels, and hammered home the opener.

Tempers frayed between Ireland’s long-serving goalkeeper and the left-sided centre back, an accusation of unresponsiveness levelled sharply at the muscular defender.

Half time: Brazil 1 – 0 Republic of Ireland The Fans’ 45: All of the classic Brazilian pomp and pageantry were on display in the yellow and blue corner of the ground. Supporters from Rio and Sao Paulo had registered an interest in the tournament weeks ago, and they were determined to effect the outcome tonight.

And, boy, did they! Banging drums, tooting horns, and shaking booties were propelling Leds! six themes, including one resembling the iStadium itself, into a true festival of exhibition football Rim-shot after shot careered into the net, leaving MusiGames no less than five goals to the good.

There was simply no reaction from the disappointingly small Irish contingent, who skulked away through the turnstiles long before the squad's ordeal was complete.

With two games left to play, they still have a chance to turn things around, but there were no Irish eyes smiling today. Instead, it was the Brazilian developers, emulating their illustrious footballing heroes, who could get the parties started on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Full time: Brazil 5 – 0 Republic of Ireland Latest Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - Squads

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Richard Brown
Richard Brown
With a degree in German up his sleeve Richard squares up to the following three questions every morning: FIFA or Pro Evo? XBox 360 or PS3? McNulty or Bunk?