North Korea v Ivory Coast: match preview

Group G
North Korea v Ivory Coast
Mbombela Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: Fri June 25, 3pm BST
Not quite a dead-rubber, but not far off. Ivory Coast can still overhaul Portugal to claim a place in the last 16, but Sven-Goran Eriksson’s players must hope for a Portugal defeat against Brazil, plus a nine-goal swing in their favour.
The manner of North Korea’s second-half collapse in their 7-0 defeat against Portugal suggests that Ivory Coast can retain a glimmer of hope, but it is likely to be false hope.

Touchline duel
Sven-Goran Eriksson v Kim Jong-Hun: Kim may have some explaining to do when he meets the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-Il, after the humiliation of conceding seven goals against Portugal. Eriksson might be able to lend him the benefit of his experience, however, having returned from two World Cups with England after failing to live up to the hopes of a nation.
Talking tactics
The North Koreans are athletic, neat passers of the ball and, Jong Tae-Se, possess a striker of some merit.
Their key weakness is their lack of height, though, and with the Ivory Coast physically intimidating and commandingly tall throughout, they can expect to profit at set-pieces and from crosses into the penalty area.
Key clash
Kolo Toure v Jong Tae-Se: Tae-Se, who plays his club football in Japan, has done enough in South Africa to suggest he could carve out a career in Europe and become the first North Korean to do so.
Facing Toure will be a good test of his talents. Tae-Se has a neat touch and is more physically developed than his team-mates, but Toure’s experience should see him edge this particular battle.
What they say
Souleymane Bamba: "We can still make the last 16. After all, I didn't think England were going to draw their first two matches, so anything is possible.”
Kim Jong-Hun: "Ivory Coast are a bigger side than us and they are probably going to be physical but we will resist strongly.
"It's a chance for us to avenge ourselves and restore our honour."
Probable teams
North Korea: Myong-Guk; Jong-Hyok, Chol-Jin, Jun-Il, Kwang-Chon, Yun-Nam; In-Guk, Young-Hak, Nam-Chol; Yong-Jo; Tae-Se
Ivory Coast: Barry; Demel, Toure, Zokora, Tiene; Y Toure, Eboue, Tiote; Gervinho, Drogba, Kalou
Referee: TBC.
Previous meetings
None
Fact:
Prediction: With Didier Drogba back, a win for the Africans.