GROUP G PREVIEW

Group G sees three quality teams, and one worfully inadequate team - North Korea should be the whipping boys here. That's the World Cup for you! But ask Italy in 1966, in the North Koreans only previous World Cup appearance, and you will know that football can be a funny old game!


BRAZIL

It's hard to know where to start with this current Brazil crop. Outstanding talent wherever you look on the pitch, they will certainly be one of the favourites, and will be hard to stop in South Africa. This may not be he free-flowing team of 1970 or 1982 vintage, but they qualified in extreme comfort (unlike their Argentinian foes) and in most positions there are at least two good players, sometimes two world class players. Starting in goal, they have probably the best keeper in the world at the moment in Julio Cesar. It's strange to say that about a Brazilian, but the Inter Milan man has been imperious in his team's treble this season, a huge presence. But as well as Cesar, there is Heurelho Gomes of Spurs, and Doni of Roma, both who have had outstanding seasons. So Brazil are well stocked there. At right-back, they possess probably the best two players in that position in the world. Maicon, also of Inter, and Barcelona's Dani Alves are pretty much interchangeable, and it is hard to know who coach Dunga will plump for. Both brilliant athletes who get forward to great effect, amosst like second wingers, and are as good in attack as defence. The centre of defence will be Lucio, another player who has enjoyed a fine season at Inter, and Roma's Juan. Both have been in the national team set-up for many years and this is an established partnership - the key to a successful defence. Lucio in particular, has appeared to move his game up a notch since swapping the Bundesliga for Serie A. He has became a great leader. A classic ball playing centre-half in the mode of Franz Beckenbauer, this is portrayed by his goals record. Witness his tremendous overhead kick against Costa Rica in 2002 on You Tube if you don't believe me! He knows Juan will cover him. The left-back position is a bit more scratchy - Brazil have never really found a natural replacement for Roberto Carlos. Michel Bastos, of Lyon, is adequate, but it will be hard for anyone to live up to the brilliance of Carlos. The veteran Gilbertom distinctly unimpressive during a season at Spurs, will definitely not do so. In midfield, it is likely that Dunga will stick with the barrier of two defensive players and two incredibly attacking players supporting the front two. The nominated 'water-carriers' will be Gilberto Silva of Panathinikos, and Felipe Melo of Juventus. It's strange to think of Gilberto as a veteran of the 2002 triumph, and maybe it's a surprise he's in the squad, considering he's winding his career down in Greece. I mean, Arsene Wenger clearly thought his best days were behind him, and will he be able to last the pace? Melo's stock has fallen in the last year since a fantastic Confederations Cup and his big move to Juventus. He has been another to suffer for the Turin clubs desperately disappointing season. He was voted the worst player of the season in an Italian football magazine, but he has undoubted talent in breaking up the play and bringing it out of defence, and I'd suggest the best is yet to come from Melo. Ahead of Gilberto and Melo, there will be three attacking midfielders who will be tasked with providing the firepower for Luis Fabiano. And all with plenty of flair, obviously! Raimires will be stationed on the right, following a good season at Benfica. His pace and skill will be a real asset. The attacking pinnacle of the team needs no introduction - Kaka. Despite a difficult first season at Real Madrid, often in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, he is still a superb player, capable of scoring outstanding goals and creating them equally. Hew will be key to Brazil's chances of success. Nilmar, usually a striker, will pitch up on the right. A good goalscoring enjoying his second spell in Europe at Villarreal, following a disappointing couple of seasons at Lyon, he will provide more firepower to this team. Reliable back-up will be offered by Josue in the defensive midfield positions (he won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2009) and, surpridinsingly and controversially, Julio Baptista of Roma. 'The Beast' has had a good season in almost helping Roma win Serie A, and takes his place on the plane ahead of Ronaldinho. He may be a legend, but this shows Dunga is clearly a fan of substance over style. Up front, Luis Fabiano will be the undisputed number nine follwing a sensational season at Sevilla, with 21 goals in 34 games. An excellent target man and leader of the line, he also has a strong international goals record of 25 in 36 caps. Robinho has made the squad despite being frustratingly inconsistent, first at Man City and then Santos. But he can be brilliant on his day. But the ace in the pack could be Grafite. In 2008, at the age of 29, it would have been thought incredibly unlikely that the journeyman striker would be on the plane to South Africa. But two outstanding seasons later, including, if you haven't seen it, a truly outstanding individual goal ending in a back heel against Bayern Munich. He made his second appearance for Brazil in March this year, five years after his debut. So, who would have thought that the strength of this team is its defence and goalkeeper, or at least that is where they are most settled. But there is quality all over the pitch and they will be devilishly hard to stop.

STAR PLAYER - LUIS FABIANO

While it is true the stability of this Brazilian generation lies in its soldiity and defence, the goals of Fabiano will be key to their success. He has the Champions League and international experience that will prove invaluable, and, at 29, he is the right age to make a real impact on the international stage. A good tournament could propel him towards a big money summer move towards one of the giants of Europe. Manchester United have already noted their interest.

MANAGER - DUNGA

A Brazilian legend as a player, and the 1994 World Cup winning captain. He has brought a pragmatism to the squad before seldom seen in the Brazilian national team before. This might not prove universally popular, but it has been hard for fans to grumble with results on the pitch. Winners of the Confederations Cup last summer, and breezing through qualifying (the 3-1 win in Argentina particularly impressive), they will travel to South Africa full of confidence, partly due to the job done by Dunga.


IVORY COAST

Sven Goran Eriksson returns to the World Cup as manager of the Elephants, hoping to erase some ghosts he was burdened with in each of England's failed attempt. This team has some serious quality, but will be up against it in a group involving Brazil and Portugal. Similar to four years ago, when they were drawn with Holland and Argentina. This is widely held as 'the golden generation.' So now is their time to shine. This is not, however, the case for the defence. In goal, especially, Boubacar Barry is shaky at best, and a liability at worst. At right-back, Emmanuel Eboue is experienced beyond his years. Good going forward, not so good going the other way (think a poor man's Glen Johnson), he can have lapses in concentration and discipline. Kolo Toure will be key in defence. A good reader on the game, and strong in the air for someone who's not exactly a giant, he will hope to recover his best form following his move to Man City. Partnering him will probably be Sol Bamba, of Hibernian. And this will be a concern because he looks a liability at the highest level. If Sven decides to chop and change, he has West Brom's Abdoulaye Meite, Guy Demel of Hamburg and Steve Gouhouri of Wigan to call on, all with plenty of experience. Siaka Tiene will be the nominated left-back, the Valenciennes player only coming in to the team of late to replace the more experienced Arthur Boka, but his youth could be an advantage in the heat of South Africa. In midfield, there is definite ability, and they will be the platform for Drogba and co to perform. Didier Zokora has been revitalised since moving to Sevilla. Not the most expansive, but he is tough in the tackle and adept at breaking up the play. Yay Youre is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. You don't play week in, week out for Barcelona alongside Xavi and Iniesta without having some ability. He also gets forward more than Zokora. The third in midfield will most likely be Cheick Tiote, and the youngster will have been energised by helping Twente clinch the Dutch title. There is also experienced back up in the shape of Emerse Fae, Kader Keita, Jean-Jacques Grosso and Romaric, and this strength in depth leves Sven with a number of options. However, it is up front where the real ability in this team lies. Or, more specifically, in Didier Drogba. The best player in Ivorian football history, and one of the best players in the world at the moment. On top form too, having scored 37 goals in helping Chelsea win the title. He can lead the line by himself, such is his strength - he is a defenders nightmare. On his left, he will find the familiar face of Salomon Kalou, his Chelsea colleage, who was in good form at the back end of last season. Never a prolific goalscorer, he provides good width and is unselfish. On the right, Gervinho will also provide good width, and following a good season at one-time title chasing Lille, a greater goal threat than Kalou. Arouna Dindane and Arouna Kone provide experienced, and quality back-up, showing this really is the golden generation. Sven has the international experience to bring it all together. But does he have the ability and determination?

STAR PLAYER - DIDIER DROGBA

In the form of his life, this will be the last chance Drogba has to make an impact on the world stage, as he turned 32 earlier this year. His international goals tally of 43 in 66 caps is sensational, and his goals will be crucial if they are to get the better of Portugal, or Brazil. His experience of playing at the highest level will also be important - he is a figurehead for this golden generation.

MANAGER - SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON

As famous for his exploits of the pitch as on it, there is nothing more that needs to be said about the Swede. A vacant job, a golden generation going nowhere, and no pressure to develop the team long-term - it seems like the perfect opportunity for this laid-back character. Obviously most famous here for his exploits with England, he proceeded that with success in Italy with Lazio and Sampdoria, and followed it with less successful spells at Man City and Mexico. But he's got another chance of making an impact at a World Cup. As this will probably be his last, he will need to grasp it with both hands.


NORTH KOREA

The less heralded of the Koreans have the best World Cup record of any country ever - forget their Group G opponents Brazil, because they can't boost a record of having a 100% record of qualifying for the quarter-finals. In South Africa, however, they will struggle to pick up a single point. Do not to expect to see a repeat of the shock at Ayresome Park which sent Italy packing in 1966. It is a shock that the North Koreans will even be in South Africa - they finished ahead of Iran and Saudi Arabia in their qualifying group, and this was all built on the back of a quality defensive performance, and a solid team spirit. Almost all the squad play in the national league. The team will probably line up like this; Ri Myong-guk in goal; a defence of Cha Jong-hyok, Pak Choi-jin, Ri Kwang-chon, Ri Jun-il, Ji Yun-nam; a three man midfield of Mun In-guk, An Yong-hak, Kim Yong-jun; and Hong Yong-jo and Jong Tae-se up front. Hardly household names, so it is not surprising that coach Kim Jong-hun will go in with a five man defence. Apart from two players who play in the J-league, only the one plays in Europe - the undoubted star and captain of this team, Hong Jong-jo. None of this will inspire confidence, and North Korea will have their work cut out to try and avoid embarassment. In the only country which still follows both the economic and social ideals of Communism, we can see that politics still has an effect on football. A good performance could be an important political coup for the North Koreans.

STAR PLAYER - JONG TAE-SE

A prolific striker in the J-league for Kawasaki Frontale, a good performance in South Africa could see him heading to Europe. The best player of a poor bunch in this team, in true Communist fashion he is nicknamed 'The People's Rooney,' suggesting his game his built on power, pace and a never say die attitude. He has ambitiously targeted a goal a game in South Africa, and it may be unwise to bet against him. He may be a defender's nightmare.

MANAGER - KIM JONG-HUN

He did a brilliant job during qualification, engineering a fantastic team spirit and togetherness which made the team more than the sum of their parts. With few stars and househuld names, he will need this to an even larger degree in South Africa. He is feisty, as he showed in Seoul last spring when he walked out of a press conference following the defeat away against their Korean neighbours. This attitude could also be a benefit this summer.


PORTUGAL

The 1966 and 2006 semi-finalists will go to South Africa with more questions than answers, having just scraped through a play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is fair to say that former Real Madrid coach and Manchester United assistant Carlos Quieroz is not the most popular manager Portugl have ever had. Starting with the goalkeeping position. There is little experience, and Eduardo, of provincial club Braga, will be between the sticks. This is despite the strong claims of Quim, who had a superb season for champions Benfica. He won't even be on the plane to South Africa. The right-back position is still up for grabs. Miguel of Valencia, and Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira, both have plenty of experience. However, both had had frustratin injury hit seasons for their clubs. Miguel is probably the better going forward, so may lead to him getting the nod. The centre-defence looks strong, though. Ricardo Carvalho is as strong and dependable as ever, with great reading of the game. Alongside him will be Bruno Alves, of Porto. Carvalho is the ball-player, while Alves is the tough-tackling, strong in the air type. Rolando, Alves partner at Porto, is dependable as back-up. However, there is more controversy at left-back. Duda, of Malaga, is a converted left-winger, with a good set-piece and keen eye for goal. However, this is despite the claims of Fabio Coentrao, the Benfica left-back, who has had a good breakthough season at the Portuguese champions. The three in midfield look strong. This is probably Portugal's strongest area of the pitch. Deco will be on the right of the three, despite an inconsistent season at Chelsea, and his contract has not been renwed for next season. But he is still good on the ball and can pick a pass as well as anyone. Pepe has been moved into the defensive midfield position due to his excellent defensive and shielding qualities, and the strength in depth in his usual position for Real Madrid, the centre of defence. Raul Meireles made his international breakthough at Euro 2008, and has since established himself as a regular in the national team. Fit and dependable with an assured pass, he will be unruffled if things start to go wrong in South Africa. There is also plenty of back-up, which means players of the quality of Joao Moutinho and Manuel Fernandes are only named as back-ups. Pedro Mendes has been around the block more than once, and has invaluable experience. Likewise Tiago, who's tour of the top European leagues has taken him from England to France to Italy and now to Spain. He will add another dimension should he be called upon. Miguel Veloso has long been regarded as one of the brightest hopes of Portuguese football, a classic deep-lying playmaker. But the big surprise could be Danny. An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal (ask Man United fans who witnessed his goal in the 2008 European Super Cup), the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker could be a possible wildcard. There is tremendous ability in the three man forward line. Ronaldo needs no introduction. Playing out wide usually, he is disappointed these days if he scores less than 25 goals in a season. Now the world's most expensive player, the £80 million man has matured in a Portugal shirt, and is no longer his old selfish self. He can score and create from any angle, and his free-kicks are something to behold. Simao, on the left, will add further width to the side. He might not be as explosive as his counterpart on the right, but the Atletico Madrid winger can also score his share of spectacular goals and has exceptional pace and trickery. Where have we heard that before?! Manchester United winger Nani will prove adequate back-up to either Ronaldo or Simao, and there were signs of him becoming a more complete player this last season. Witness, in particular, performances away at Arsenal in the league and at home against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The central striking position, however, has proved a problem. The days when there were the likes of Pauleta and Nuno Gomes leading the line have gone. This has been the reason for rushing through the naturalisation of Porto striker Liedson. The Porto striker has been prolific in his seven years with the club. It proved a good decision by Quieroz - he came on as a substitute on his debut away to Denmark, and he scored a crucial equaliser which was curcial in Portugal making the play-offs. There is inadequate back-up should Liedson suffer an injury. Hugo Almeida, of Werder Bremen, is an irregular scorer, and is the only other recognised striker in the squad. This in itself doesn't bode well. It is hard to know what to expect from this Portuguese generation, and much will depend on the opening match against the Ivory Coast - the winner will probably join Brazil in the last 16. The defence looks strong, as do the wings and midfield. But in same parts of the squad there is an alarming lack of depth, and Quieroz has certinaly made some strange decisions. Should things go wrong in South Africa, his neck will definitely be on the block - he needs to improve in the popularity stakes.

STAR PLAYER - LIEDSON

It would be eay to say Ronaldo here. But there will be a huge onus on the shoulders of Liedson. His seven caps mean he is still extremely inexperienced at international level, and it is a big step up from the Portuguese league to the World Cup. His Champions League experience will stand him in good stead, but, as there is no adequate back-up, he will be shouldering the burden of the Portuguese striking hopes. No pressure then!

MANAGER - CARLOS QUIEROZ

As universally unpopular in Portugal as Big Phil was popular. The players don't respond to his methods, and complain that he acts like a teacher, subjecting them to hours worth of video analysis. The joyful atmosphere built by Scolari, reaching a final, a semi-final and a quarter-final from three major tournaments, is a distant memory. He definitely seems to be a better number two than number one. Even though he is contracted until 2012, a dismal showing in South Africa could hasten his exit.


VERDICT

The Brazilians are clear favourites in this group, and should qualify comfortably, and will expect to take six points from their first two games. I think Group G will provide the biggest upset of the tournament - Sven Goran Eriksson will look to get revenge against Portugal, and much of this will come down to the first game between the two. If Didier Drobga can inspire the Elephants, Portugal could be packing their bags early, and Queiroz might be looking for a new job. This is more than a feasible possibility, and Portugal's run of reaching the knock-out phases in major tournaments will come to an end, and the painful wounds of the 2002 World Cup will be re-opened.