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Jabulani ball a hit with Portugal after 7-0 win

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-22 10:47

The balll bounces on Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo before scoring a goal during a 2010 World Cup Group G soccer match against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at Green Point stadium in Cape Town on June 21, 2010. [Agencies]

A replica of the Jabulani match ball is seen on the pitch during a test match of youth teams at the Soccer-City stadium in Johannesburg on June 8, 2010. [Agencies]

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The World Cup finally has a team which loves the maligned Jabulani ball.

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That's to be expected, however, with Portugal running up the biggest score at the tournament in eight years.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz says "we love the ball" after his players beat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 7-0 in the Group G match on Monday.

The Jabulani ball has been criticized as being uncontrollably lightweight, making it difficult to pass precisely or keep long-range shots on target. Many complaints, though, have come from losing teams or players who have blundered.

Queiroz says we need to "forget this discussion about the ball, the vuvuzelas, whatever," describing them as "secondary things."