Brazil v North Korea: match preview

Group G
Brazil v North Korea
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Tuesday June 15, 7.30pm BST

North Korea’s manager, Kim Jong-Hun, spoke confidently about his side’s prospects on Monday, but the impression remains that his unknowns can only hope to avoid humiliation against the five-time World Cup winners.


He was inspired to enter football by North Korea’s success in reaching the quarter-finals in 1966, but his chances of matching that are slim against Dunga’s diligent and industrious Brazilians.

Kaka and Robinho are Brazil’s creative hub, skilled at changing the tempo of the game, while the team’s attack is built around the ruthless finishing of Luis Fabiano.



Touchline duel

Dunga v Kim Jong-Hun: Jong-Hun was inspired to enter a career in football by North Korea’s success in the 1966 World Cup, when Pak Do Ik and his side beat Italy in one of the greatest shocks in the competition’s history. His chances of bettering that are slim, not least because Dunga has instilled a sense of discipline and destiny in this Brazil team. His is a diligent, industrious side, the inspiration sprinkled, rather than ladled, throughout the team.

Talking tactics

North Korea based their surprise qualification on a tight defence and Brazil are hardly the sort of side against whom they will be tempted to remove the shackles. Jong-Hun will flood his midfield and defence and hope he can stifle Brazil, who endured problems breaking down obstinate teams in qualifying. Dunga’s Brazil are not quite so reliant on art as previous vintages though - their towering central defence make them a considerable threat from set-pieces.

Key clash

Maicon v Ahn Young-Hak: The Japanese-born midfielder is one of just three players in North Korea’s squad who play away from their homeland, representing Japanese side Omiya Ardija. Facing the world’s best right-back, Maicon, is likely to be something of a challenge. He will need to track the Inter Milan player’s ceaseless forward raids, key to Brazil’s attacking plans, throughout the game if North Korea are to have any hope of staunching the flow.

What they say

Felipe Melo: “I have similar characteristics as the coach, and that's important. Every team needs a player with a strong character to help out when a teammate is in need. We have similar style, always working hard to steal a ball here and there. I never like to lose a challenge, and he was like that too."

Kim Jong-Hun: “We know Brazil are one of the best teams in the world, full of international class players and that these three points are very important for them, but they are important for us, too. Our first objective is to get out of the group and into the knockout stages, and that is what the people at home expect from us.”

Team details (probable)

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Batos, Gilberti Suilva, Felipe Melo, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano, Nilmar. Subs: Gomes, Doni, Daniel Alves, Luisao, Thiago Silva, Gilberto, Elano, Josue, Ramires, Julio Baptista, Kleberson, Grafite.
North Korea: Myong-Guk, Jong-Hyok, Kwang-Chon, Song-Chol, Jun-Il; Yong-Jun, Nam-Chol, In-Guk, Young-Hak; Tae-Se, Yong-Jo.
Subs: Myong-Gil , Myong-Won , Yun-Nam, Chol-Jin, Nam-Chol, Kwang-Hyok, Kum-Il, Chol-Myong, Kyong-Il, Sung-Hyok, Chol-Hyok.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).

Previous meetings: None

Fact: Brazil, the only country to play in every World Cup finals, have not lost their opening game since 1934 and in 16 subsequent finals, they have won 14 -- including the last seven – and drawn two.
Prediction: Should be one-sided; the five-times World Cup winners have not failed to emerge from their group since 1966 and can walk to an easy win against the secretive North Koreans.