Mighty Brazil take crack at N Korea

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

A Brazil line-up bursting with global football stars will open their World Cup campaign against a North Korea squad they, and pretty much everyone else, know very little about.

While five-time champions Brazil have won more titles than any country at football's biggest showcase, North Korea have not played in the tournament in more than 40 years and their international isolation is about their only advantage ahead of today's match at Ellis Park.

The unpredictability surrounding the secluded Asian nation is making Brazil wary of an upset like the one the team from the reclusive communist state pulled in 1966 when they beat Italy en route to the quarter-finals in their only previous World Cup appearance.

"I don't know anything about them," Brazil's Ramires said on Sunday. "I only watched half of a warm-up match they played. We are still waiting for the Brazilian coaches to give us more information about the them."

That is information which 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.

Respect the Koreans

"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. They then lost 5-3 to Portugal despite holding an early 3-0 lead.

A repeat may be difficult in South Africa after North Korea were 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 arrive as one of the title favourites despite a team without stars such as 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 have a revamped squad following their disappointing 1-0 loss to France in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

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 defence and quick counter-attacking, which displeased millions and 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 favourite 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 ahead of the World Cup.

"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."

Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano highlight the team's attack, but another strong point this time should be the defence featuring goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Lucio, Juan and Maicon.

Brazil and North Korea have never faced each other before.

Today's games

• Slovakia vs New Zealand at 6:30 a.m.
  
• Ivory Coast vs Portugal at 9 a.m.
  
• Brazil vs North Korea at 1:30 p.m.