This is my favourite group! It should be the most entertaining group of all in this world cup. Seen as the group of death, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea will be battling to make it through.
Brazil
Key men: There are quite a few. Kaka is their main man at the moment. Luis Fabiano has a sensational record at international record, and will look to add to that this summer. They have many others. Robinho, Pato, Alves and Maicon will be other important players in Brazil's world cup.
Story of qualifying: They lost only two of their eighteen games, but only topped their group by a single point. Chile and Paraguay both finished a point below. They didn't have to break much sweat though, and they will have to work much harder in this group.
How will they do?: In this group, Brazil are still loads better than anyone else. Barring disaster, they should cruise through. 1st
North Korea
Key men: Hong Yong-Jo was instrumental in the qualifying success, and is one of the only North Korea players playing outside his homeland. He currently plays up front for FC Rostov is Russia. Yong Hak An is a hard worker in midfield, with an eye for goal.
Story of qualifying: They qualified as runners up in the same group as rivals South Korea, edging Saudi Arabia out on goal difference. In the final game, they faced the Saudis away and came away with a nil nil draw to go through.
How will they do?: A point is a huge success for them. They've been drawn in the hardest group possible, and could get a couple of thrashings. 4th
Ivory Coast
Key men: If Didier Drogba recovers after he broke his arm, he will be their star. They have a lot of good players. The Toure brothers, Kone, Gervinho, Keita and Kalou.
Story of qualifying: They had an easy ride. They topped their group without losing and drawing only once. Their group included Burkino Fasao, Malawi and Guinea.
How will they do?: Second spot is between 'The Elephants' and Portugal. I can see them beating them to it. 2nd
Portugal
Key men: They have one of the biggest stars in the world. He hasn't performed for them in the past couple of years, but Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the stars in Germany 2006. Nani has been ruled out, so they will have to rely on players like Simao, Deco and Liedson.
Story of qualifying: They made hard work of it. They failed to qualify automatically and had to play Bosnia in the play offs.They beat them two nil on aggregate, goals from Bruno Alves and Raul Meireles sent them through.
How will they do?: They have been poor under Carlos Quieroz, and after drawing nil nil with Cape Verde (a team with many first team players including Ronaldo and Nani) I cannot see them finishing in the top two. 3rd
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