Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal

Brazil win thrills Africans

 

Portugal name 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Beto (Porto).
Defenders: Miguel (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica).
Midfielders: Pedro Mendes (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting).
Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Nani (Manchester United).

 

Eriksson confirms Ivory Coast squad:

Quite surprised to see Kone left out.

 

Korea DPR's non-existence chances get even more non-existenty.

North Korea skirted the rules regarding the three keeper requirement by listing forward Kim Myong-won as the third keeper. FIFA has ruled that he can only appear as a keeper in the tournament. Whoops.

Here's the story from Ives, with a clip of Bob Bradley as coach of the MetroStars skirting the three subs rule with some shiftiness with Tim Howard in goal.

 

Wouldn't it be great if a war was started over this?

 

+ 1

 

Great minds.

 

Brazil and Portugal.

The group of death. Brazil are heavy favorites, but this new age for the team is all about choking. It seemed to begin in France '98 in the final against the hosts. Brazil went on to win in 2002 with a tremendous onslaught by Ronaldo, but managed to choke again against the French in Germany. In qualification they gave up points in matches they should have easily won. Their defense is also still in question. In reality it could go very well or very bad for the team. Portugal and Brazil will probably put on one of the best matches of the tournament. That match could very well decide the fate of one or both. Côte d'Ivoire played exceptionally in their qualification to the World Cup and are considered Africa's best hope to go far. I think that they may be able to upset Brazil and then watch in delight as Portugal hold the Brazilians to a draw. I doubt it, but I'm leaving it open. As for the punching bags, er, Korea DPR, they should bomb out. Let me put it nicely that at least they got this far. Watch for Jong Tae-Se to possibly score their only goal.

 

Well, I'm not sure you can say this Dunga's team is all about chocking. In recent years they won the Copa America, the Confederations Cup and they were the best team during the qualification tournament.

And they also have a very solid defense. With 3 guys of Inter that recently won the Champios League (probably the best defense in Europe right now). You could question their offense, that could be too much dependent of Kaka (his health is still a question mark, we will only know for sure when we actually see him in action during the WC).

 

The whole country is waiting. The expectation is pretty high for tomorrow.

 

Its north korea though, whats exciting bout that

 

The excitement is more about finally seeing the team in action in the World Cup, we don't really care about the other team right now. Brazilians usually think the Seleção should win every game they play.

 

Even if North Korea go home with zero points in the group the people back home will be lied to on their national news that the team won the World Cup.

 

lmao

they've probably recorded a match where north korean players play a high school team in north korea wearing brazil jerseys and they just touch their faces (photoshopped) and show it to their people. haha

 

I have Brazil and Portugal winning tomorrow.

Brazil 5-1 North Korea

Cote d'Ivoire 2-3 Portugal

 

Drogba's status is interesting. Guess he won't get his cast checked by FIFA until about 2 hours before game time and then if it's approved, it's up to him if he wants to play or not.

 

Ivory Coast 3 - 2 Portugal

 

My predictions:

Brazil 3-0 North Korea

Cote d'Ivoire 1-2 Portugal