Group G: death Group

The World Cup's Group G with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast struggle for two places while North Korea gives attention to on damage limitation.

Brazil have lifted the cup that symbolizes universal football incomparability a record five times, Portugal completed fourth at the last tournament in 2006 and many scholars consider Ivory Coast the best African bet for brilliance.

And whereas North Korea is universally regarded as 'cannon fodder', none of the 32 teams has organized more systematically than the little known squad from the isolated nation. Superstars abound in the first-round 'Group of Death' as Brazil boasts Kaka, while Portugal is inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba ranks beside them in probable impact but the striker's chances of playing in the first World Cup on African soil hang in the balance after surgery on a broken arm. The Ivorians are desperate for Drogba to get well in time.

The opening Group G play on Tuesday between Ivory Coast and Portugal in Port Elizabeth may perhaps decide who else progresses with European champions Spain the probable second-round opponents for the second-placed finisher.

Coach Dunga has assembled a strategically tidy squad that espouses the work ethic and plays as a team with no position for the prima-donna issue that cost Brazil extremely in the past.

Dunga left out Ronaldinho, but Kaka is rounding into form after a poor entrance season in Madrid.

Portugal needed a oppose against Bosnia-Herzogovina to arrive at South Africa after a qualifying campaign in which midfielder-cum-striker Ronaldo unsuccessful to score in seven matches before being sidelined by injury.

Queiroz though was satisfied to see Real Madrid defensive midfielder Pepe back after six months out with a knee injury. The coach said "It's fantastic. With the help of Real Madrid's doctors, the Portuguese federation and the technical staff of the national team, we have done a meticulous job".

Luck has dealt Ivory Coast a malicious World Cup hand twice after receiving the Netherlands and Argentina in Germany four years ago, and the late choice of former England supremo Sven Goran Eriksson as coach barely boosts continuity.