Portugal v North Korea: match preview

Group G
Portugal v North Korea
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Mon June 21, 12.30pm BST
TV: BBC1 12pm, BBC1 HD 12pm

Cape Town's Green Point Stadium has so far played host to three games, with only two goals scored in a three dreary draws, so a repeat of Portugal’s legendary 5-3 victory over the North Koreans in 1966 would certainly be welcomed on the Western Cape.

Cristiano Ronaldo, having demanded more protection from referees after being roughed up by the Ivory Coast in Port Elizabeth, will hope to take his frustrations out on the committed, but limited, North Koreans.

Ri Myong-Guk, the goalkeeper blamed for the Koreans’ defeat against Brazil, is likely to retain his place, handing him the opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-Il.


Touchline duel: Carlos Queiroz v Kim Jong Hun

The trench-coat wearing Kim almost produced a tactical masterplan to stifle Brazil in Johannesburg, so Queiroz will be wary of under-estimating his opponent.

Kim cannot call on a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, though, and Queiroz will expect the Real Madrid forward to do for Portugal what Wayne Rooney is failing to do for England – destroy weaker opponents with a touch of brilliance.

Talking tactics

North Korea’s defensive strategy was the bedrock of their successful campaign in emerging from the Asian qualifiers, but they also showed an element of attacking prowess by scoring against Brazil.

Defend first, attack later appears to be their motto, however, so Portugalwill attempt to score early and draw their opponents out, enabling the likes of Ronaldo and Simao to capitalise.

Key clash: Ricardo Carvalho v Jong Tae-Se

Jong is nicknamed the ‘People’s Rooney,’ but he is currently having a better World Cup than the real thing. Carvalho will be wise to the J-League forward, however, and he will test his physical attributes by deploying the same competitive techniques that have marked his six years at Chelsea.

The real Rooney reacted and was sent off for retaliating against Carvalho in Germany 2006. Don’t expect the disciplined Jong to display such petulance.

What they say:

Carlos Queiroz: “It’s all or nothing for us. The players are aware of this and we all have the sense of responsibility of knowing that this game is extremely decisive for the final places. There is only one result we are interested in and we want to win.”

Jong Tae-Se: "I'm going to try to improve for the next game and score my first goal. Portugal are a top-class team, like Brazil, and it is going to be very hard but we're going to keep trying to make it."

Portugal (4-3-3): Eduardo; Ferreira, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao; Simao, Mendes, Meireles; Ronaldo, Liedson, Danny Injured: Deco.

North Korea (4-5-1): Myong-Guk; Jong-Hyok, Kwang-Chon, Song-Chol, Jun-Il; Yong-Jun, Nam-Chol, In-Guk, Young-Hak, Yong-Jo; Jong Tae-Se.

Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile)

Previous meetings

Played 1: Portugal 1, Draws 0, North Korea 0

1966: (Liverpool, WC): Portugal 5 North Korea 3

Fact: when these teams met in 1966 at Goodison Park, North Korea led 3-0 – before Eusebio scored four in a remarkable come-back.

Prediction: just maybe this could end in a draw.