Preview: Portugal vs. North Korea

June 20th, 2010 | by: Craig |

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THE BIG PICTURE
After a disappointing start against the Ivory Coast, Portugal will be hoping to come to life here, but the question is can North Korea match their performance against Brazil? 90 minutes of gruelling work will surely still be affecting them and it remains to be seen whether they can motivate themselves to perform for a second time at that level. Their late goal against the Brazilians will give them hope though and Portugal will just be praying that Cristiano Ronaldo can find a way through a stubborn North Korean defence. Deco is likely to miss out for the Portuguese whilst North Korea are likely to be unchanged. Of course, this game will draw comparison to the 1966 epic encounter between the two which saw North Korea go 3-0 up before succumbing 5-3. Make no mistake, if North Korea go 3-0 up here, it will raise more eyebrows than it did even then.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Portugal will not want to go into their final game against Brazil needing a win… No one in their right mind would want to go into their final game against Brazil needing a win. This is their big chance to secure qualification to the next stage and they’ll be hoping the pressure doesn’t tell. The North Koreans themselves will still believe they have a strong chance of progressing and a good result here will give them a great chance of a shock success story in the supposed group of death.

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OUR PREDICTION
Much like the Brazil game North Korea will simply try and contain Portugal for as long as possible. It remains to be seen whether or not Portugal share the Brazilian creativity to break them down. I’m actually going for a shock 1-1 draw which will give the North Koreans real hope of a top two finish and give a welcome bit of breathing room to Ivory Coast as well.

FAN RESOURCES

Portugal
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North Korea
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North Korea Jerseys | North Korea Tickets

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JoseJosue

I predict either 0-0 or 1-1 in this match.

The Portuguese offense has been shambolic against worse defenses than even North Korea's… And Cristiano Ronaldo? North Korea has been plotting and practicing how to stop him since December 5th.