Brazil look to tame North Korea

The extraordinary crush of media and fans’ expectations has exerted even more pressure on Brazil to get off to nothing less than a flying start against North Korea in their World Cup Group G opener today.

Brazil are ranked number one and North Korea, playing their first World Cup since their sensational debut in 1966, come in at 105.

Dunga’s emphasis on work-rate and defensive duties has left the supporters of the “jogo bonito” (beautiful game) fuming, but the World Cup-winning skipper boasts just four defeats in his 55 games in charge as proof that his methods are bringing results.

Meanwhile, North Korea provide one of the most intriguing stories of this World Cup.

It is their first World Cup tournament in 44 years when back in England they shocked the world with a 1-0 win over then two-time world champions Italy before going out after an epic 5-3 loss to Portugal in the quarter-finals. The doughty North Koreans will need all their resilience and application to hold out the creative talents of striker Luis Fabiano and midfielder Kaka for 90 minutes. It ranks as one of the supreme challenges in world football and they will be striving to give as little away as possible.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2010.