Brazil wary of secretive DPRK
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2010, Tuesday
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A BRAZIL lineup bursting with stars will open its World Cup campaign against a North Korea squad they, and pretty much everyone else, knows very little about.
While Brazil has won the title five times, North Korea hasn't played in the tournament in more than 40 years.
The unpredictably surrounding the secluded Asian nation is making Brazil wary of an upset like it did in 1966 in its only previous World Cup appearance.
"I don't know anything about them," Brazil's Ramires said. "I only watched half of a warmup match they played. We are still waiting for the coaches to give us more information about the them."
That information may be hard to find considering that the North Korea squad has been mostly secluded from public view and the media at a remote hotel in the northern outskirts of Johannesburg since arriving in South Africa.
"We have to respect the Koreans," Brazil midfielder Elano said. "When we look at history, Brazil may have many more titles than they do, but once the match starts we will need to have the same respect as we would have to any other team."
In the 1966 tournament in England, the North Korean squad defied expectations by beating Italy 1-0 to become the first team from Asia to reach the final eight. It then lost 3-5 to Portugal despite holding an early 3-0 lead.
A repeat may be difficult in South Africa after North Korea was drawn into a tough group which also contains Ivory Coast and Portugal. The opener might be the hardest test for the Koreans, as Brazil again arrives as one of the title favorites despite arriving without Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano.
"We know that all the players on the team are famous and that Brazil is the strongest team in the world," North Korea midfielder An Yong Hak said. "Doesn't seem like they have any weaknesses."
Brazil coach Dunga began a new cycle with the Brazilian national team, picking players known for their discipline and hard work and not for their stardom or past successes. He also installed a style based on solid defense and quick counterattacking, which displeased millions of football-crazy fans in Brazil. But his team earned significant results on the field to quell many of the critics and make Brazil a favorite for the title in South Africa.
With few squad changes since he took over, Dunga helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup last year and finish first in South American World Cup qualifying. Brazil also beat Italy, England, Portugal and Argentina in friendlies.
"The team is ready," Robinho said. "The team has been ready for a long time. We are prepared to do well in this World Cup."
While Brazil has won the title five times, North Korea hasn't played in the tournament in more than 40 years.
The unpredictably surrounding the secluded Asian nation is making Brazil wary of an upset like it did in 1966 in its only previous World Cup appearance.
"I don't know anything about them," Brazil's Ramires said. "I only watched half of a warmup match they played. We are still waiting for the coaches to give us more information about the them."
That information may be hard to find considering that the North Korea squad has been mostly secluded from public view and the media at a remote hotel in the northern outskirts of Johannesburg since arriving in South Africa.
"We have to respect the Koreans," Brazil midfielder Elano said. "When we look at history, Brazil may have many more titles than they do, but once the match starts we will need to have the same respect as we would have to any other team."
In the 1966 tournament in England, the North Korean squad defied expectations by beating Italy 1-0 to become the first team from Asia to reach the final eight. It then lost 3-5 to Portugal despite holding an early 3-0 lead.
A repeat may be difficult in South Africa after North Korea was drawn into a tough group which also contains Ivory Coast and Portugal. The opener might be the hardest test for the Koreans, as Brazil again arrives as one of the title favorites despite arriving without Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano.
"We know that all the players on the team are famous and that Brazil is the strongest team in the world," North Korea midfielder An Yong Hak said. "Doesn't seem like they have any weaknesses."
Brazil coach Dunga began a new cycle with the Brazilian national team, picking players known for their discipline and hard work and not for their stardom or past successes. He also installed a style based on solid defense and quick counterattacking, which displeased millions of football-crazy fans in Brazil. But his team earned significant results on the field to quell many of the critics and make Brazil a favorite for the title in South Africa.
With few squad changes since he took over, Dunga helped Brazil win the Confederations Cup last year and finish first in South American World Cup qualifying. Brazil also beat Italy, England, Portugal and Argentina in friendlies.
"The team is ready," Robinho said. "The team has been ready for a long time. We are prepared to do well in this World Cup."
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