Group G: Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal
BRAZIL
Coach: Dunga
Star player: Kaka
Previous
appearances: 1930 (first round), 1934 (first round), 1938 (semi-finals), 1950 (runners-up), 1954 (quarter-finals), 1958 (winners), 1962 (winners), 1966 (first round), 1970 (winners), 1974 (fourth place), 1978 (third place), 1982 (second round),. 1986 (quarter-finals), 1990 (second round), 1994 (winners), 1998 (runners-up), 2002 (winners), 2006 (quarter-finals).
Chances: Dunga endured criticism early in his reign but Brazil have now augmented their finesse with power and strength. Explosive on the counter-attack and a threat from every set-piece – attacking or defending – their greater World Cup pedigree in comparison to Spain means the Selecao arguably head to South Africa as favourites. Kaka’s struggle to impress in his first season with Real Madrid might be a cause for concern, though.
IVORY COAST
Coach:
Sven-Goran Eriksson
Star player:
Didier Drogba
Previous appearances: 2006 (first round).
Chances: Man for man the Elephants look about the best side representing Africa in the finals and they could match Cameroon’s achievements of 1990 by reaching the last eight, although a fiendishly difficult draw and a lacklustre showing at the African Nations Cup suggest that may be highly optimistic. In Eriksson they now have a coach with solid World Cup pedigree, having taken England to the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006. A repeat would be an impressive achievement with the Ivorians.
NORTH KOREA
Coach: Kim Jong-hun
Star player:
Jong Tae-se
Previous
appearances: 1966 (quarter-finals).
Chances: Plenty of attention will fall on the North Koreans, who for political and social reasons will be one of the great curiosities of the finals. On the pitch, their qualification was secured thanks to their tight defence and while they are highly unlikely to get to the last 16 after being drawn alongside Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal, it is equally difficult to imagine them losing their shape at any point and getting hammered.
PORTUGAL
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
Star player:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Previous
appearances: 1966 (third place), 1986 (first round), 2002 (first round), 2006 (fourth place).
Chances: As a group the current generation does not quite compare to that of Luis Figo, Rui Costa et al but in Ronaldo they possess one of the finest players on the planet. They would be disappointed not to get to the last eight, but first they have a tough group to get through and a number of players who under-performed in qualifying must step up to the plate.
