The Pulse Files covers Group G today, thanks to our friends at Guardian Sport. Paddy Power Index and SportTrades Group Predictions follow.Taking in full from the World Cup 2010 Guide by Kevin McCarra in The Guardian. If you can get a copy as you can read below, well worth it.
Brazil
The team
History lesson
The only team to have appeared at every World Cup; five-times winners; runners-up in 1950 and 1998; semi-finalists in 1938, 1974 and 1978. The 1970 team are seen as one of the best teams ever and their fourth goal in the final – a sweeping move involving 83% of the population of Brazil – as one of the greatest ever scored. Have produced players of breathtaking skill such as Pelé, Garrincha and Rivaldo as well as dead-eyed finishers such as Romário.
Tactics board
Brazil play a 4-2-3-1 with Luís Fabiano as a lone centre-forward ahead of Robinho, Kaká and Ramires. Purists will tell you that Dunga's decision to leave out Ronaldinho is a sign of Brazil's drift away from jogo bonito but it's still not exactly Stoke City we're talking about here. True, they employ not one but two defensive midfielders but they still have room for the creativity of Kaká and Robinho's pointlessly over elaborate jinking.
Grudge match
Brazil have three main rivals: Argentina, Argentina and Argentina. When the teams met in the last 16 of the 1990 World Cup Argentina's medical team were accused of putting tranquillisers in Branco's water as Brazil crashed out.
Also known as
The poetic – canarinhos (little canaries); the imposing – a selecção (the selection); and the factual – verde amarela (yellow and green).
The players
Vuvuzela superstar
Kaká. Clean-living, fresh-faced poster boy who plays for Real Madrid and Jesus. Boasts an off-field persona so spotless that scientists have proven he can cure acne-ridden teenagers just by looking at them.
There's always Bolton
Luís Fabiano is linked to the Premier League every other second and his speed and strength is suited to the English game. Sevilla want around £18m for him and Harry Redknapp, down to 53 fit strikers, could see him as the man to bolster Spurs' Champions League campaign.
Laager lout
It's bad enough that the Roberto Mancini-baiting, stepovering Robinho has a tendency to go missing on the pitch he also regularly dropped off Manchester City's radar before being packed off to Santos.
The coach
Body double
Dunga means "Dopey" in Portuguese and work as an extra at Disney World is a possibility should the football not work out.
Big game hunter
Although his pragmatic approach is seen as un-Brazilian by some – he left Ronaldinho out of the squad – he has won the Copa América and the Confederations Cup.
Loved or loathed
When Dunga captained his country to victory at the 1994 World Cup, Brazilian reporters described him as a dour symbol of everything that was wrong with the game when they really meant to say he was a towering pillar of strength.
The country
Commentators' kit
Brazil is home to the acai berry which contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and anthocyanins which will improve your concentration, memory and sex life. Or at least that's what the 94 emails we received in our inbox this morning told us.
They gave the world
Attractive female fans in skimpy clothing, Brazil's answer to drunk students dressed up as pirates at Trent Bridge on a rainy Ashes Thursday in June.
National monument
Beautiful beaches, beautiful people, a tropical climate and a rapidly growing economy have bolstered Brazilian optimism. Like Britain then, except for the beaches, beautiful people, climate, economy. Oh, and the optimism.
Qualifying
Comfortable. Finished top of their group with three matches to spare but the process was not as imperious as some would have liked, taking only one point off Bolivia and drawing 0-0 four times.
The Triesman tapes ... what he didn't say
"Coffee-fuelled adrenaline junkies offering sanctuary to train robbers and party-animal pubic topiarists who think they invented passing to feet."
Statistics
World Cup: record 18 finals
P92 W64 D14 L14 F201 A84
Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
199,854: Maracanã crowd who watched Brazil's 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the 'fateful final' of 1950 tournament. The hosts had led 1-0
Fixtures
North Korea, 15 June, Ellis Park, 7.30pm
Ivory Coast, 20 June, Soccer City, 7.30pm
Portugal, 25 June, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 3pm
The verdict
Dunga's men have talent but it is the power and depth of the squad that are truly intimidating. The attackers are not quite so distinguished as in the past but overall resources are rich, with, for instance, Maicon and Dani Alves as candidates for right-back. Rightful favourites to win their sixth World Cup on a fifth continent
Ivory Coast
The team
History lesson
Hailed as Africa's best hope of a World Cup breakthrough, their stellar reputation is a recent phenomenon. Made their debut in 2006 when they lost to Argentina and Holland but came from 2-0 down to beat Serbia. Like a kamikaze unit they are attracted to groups of death and are the only team to have scored in all their World Cup matches, albeit all three of them.
Tactics board
A formidable spine – formed by the Tourés, Kolo and Yaya, Didier Zokora, and Salomon Kalou – possesses speed, strength and stamina, exhibited by their triumphs in international football's two longest penalty shoot-outs, the 24-shot marathons with Ghana and Cameroon in the 1992 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. They missed only one of their 24 penalties on those occasions.
Grudge match
They would love a crack at France, their former colonial masters. Generally, though, it should be a happy time for the Ivorians – they won't have to look far for friends as, beyond their own fans banging tom-toms and waving upside-down Irish flags, the whole of Africa will be cheering them on, they hope, well into the latter stages of the tournament.
Also known as
The Elephants will be expected to come up trunks in South Africa, particularly against the Europeans who commanded the old ivory trade.
The players
Vuvuzela superstar
Was going to be Didier Drogba, we await as to wether he will be fit.
There's always Bolton
"Ricky" Gervais Yao Kouassi, or Gervinho to you and me, has a "fuse of Flashdance with MC Hammer" dance celebration that David Brent would be proud of. The 23-year-old Lille creator reportedly interests Arsène Wenger, who after all needs yet another schemer.
Laager lout
Emerse Faé, who refused to play in a reserve game two years ago, managed to rile Reading's then manager Steve Coppell. Farewell, Faé.
The coach
Body doubleSven-Goran Eriksson has an uncanny resemblance to The Simpsons' Mr Burns, with his skinny frame, receding hairline, pointed facial features and thirst for cash.
Big game hunter
Knocked out of his last three international tournaments by Brazil and Portugal, the former England manager was so desperate for revenge that he considered swapping the murky goings-on at Notts County for the, well, murky goings-on at North Korea.
Loved or loathed
According to his Mr 10%, the "poor people" of Ivory Coast are delighted to have Sven picking up £2m for this gig.
The country
Commentators' kit
Ivorians love Los Angeles. Black and White in Color became the first African film to receive a Hollywood Oscar in 1977 for best foreign language film. Seven years later, Gabriel Tiacoh became the country's only ever Olympic medallist there, winning silver in the men's 400m.
They gave the world
By producing more than a third of the world's cocoa beans, the Ivorian workforce will this month be supplying frustrated football-phobes across the world with the comfort food of choice, chocolate.
National monument
Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is the world's largest Christian church and the capital city's entire 295,000 inhabitants can fit inside its courtyard, but only 200 people on average attend Sunday mass.
Qualifying
In a group with Burkina Faso, Guinea and Malawi, it was no sweat, at least until Didier Drogba was rested for the final game against the latter – but the striker came off the bench to score the decisive equaliser.
The Triesman tapes ... what he didn't say
"Sven's a nitwit. He got caught playing away and then embarrassed himself in a tabloid sting. You would have to be a fool to be so careless."
StatisticsWorld Cup record: 1 finals
P3 W1 D0 L2 F5 A6
Highest finish: First round in 2006
9: Months Sven-Goran Eriksson lasted in his last job as coach of Mexico. He was sacked 24 hours after losing 3-1 to Honduras
Fixtures
Portugal, 15 June, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3pm
Brazil, 20 June, Soccer City, 7.30pm
North Korea, 25 June, Mbombela Stadium, 3pm
The verdict
Aruna Dindane and Salomon Kalou can make their mark. The side should also be sound, with the holding midfielder Yaya Touré in place. Sven Goran-Eriksson did not see his squad train until mid-May and has the task of correcting the underachievement of a country beaten by Algeria in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
North Korea
The team
History lesson
Only England look back to 1966 with anything like the same dewy-eyed fondness as North Korea. In their only previous appearance they beat Italy at Ayresome Park on their way to the quarter-finals. The spot from which Pak Doo-ik struck the winner is marked by a cast-iron sculpture which, as the old stadium is now a housing development, is in somebody's front garden.
Tactics board
Relied on defensive solidity to come through qualifying and there's no chance that will change. Kim Jong-hun will be parking the bus - a sweeper, four across the back and two defensive central midfielders. They will look to counter-attack with Hong Yong-jo and Jong Tae-se, two of the few players based outside North Korea, vital in attack.
Grudge match
Unfortunately a Leaders of the Free World v Axis of Evil clash against the USA could only take place in the final. A meeting with South Korea could prove a feisty affair. In response to the torpedoing of a South Korean battleship, Seoul has decided not to broadcast the World Cup in the North. An eye for an eye, and all that.
Also known as
The Chollima, which isn't what Mola Ram chants when attempting to pull out Indiana Jones's heart in the Temple of Doom, but rather a mythical winged horse too swift to be mounted.
The players
Vuvuzela superstar
Hong Yong-jo is one of only five players selected in Kim Jong-hun's 30-man preliminary squad to play outside of the country. Currently with FC Rostov in Russia, where he is apparently accompanied by a member of North Korea's National Security Agency.
There's always Bolton
Jong Tae-se is known as the Human Bulldozer and has been likened to Ronaldo (the portly Brazilian one). Those who recall Mario Jardel's stint at the Reebok may picture the role Jong could fill.
Laager lout
Kim Yong-jun played briefly for Chengdu Blades, the Chinese club owned by Sheffield United, where the influence of Paddy "Eyebrows" Kenny and Chris "Elbows" Morgan might have rubbed off.
The coach
Body double
Kim Jong-hun has an early Beatles hairdo, though given Group G his team's tournament might be more Hello, Goodbye than the Long and Winding Road.
Big game hunter
Despite guiding the Chollima to the finals, his stock fell this year after failing to qualify for the East Asian Championship. Very loyal to his squad - Kim used just 21 players in the final qualifying group.
Loved or loathed
Hard to say, as even if fans did dislike him, it would be rather difficult for them to express it. It's fair to say dissent of any kind is not tolerated in Pyongyang.
The country
Commentators' kit
North Korea has only 724km of paved roads, almost enough for a return journey from Stamford Bridge to Bloomfield Road, though with only around 20,000 cars in the country (fewer than one for every 1,000 people) it's not as if rush hour in Pyongyang is a blight for commuters. The preferred method of transport is the bicycle. Or the 21-carriage armoured train.
They gave the world
The sort of mass choreographed public ceremonies to give Britain's Olympic synchronised swimmers sleepless nights. Whether their offside trap works with such unity and precision remains to be seen.
National monument
The Pyongyang government takes pride in the infallibility of Kim Jong-il. Not an opinion shared by the rest of the world.
Qualifying
Met their southern neigbours four times during qualifying, drawing three and losing once (claiming a Spurs-esque case of food poisoning), and came through a tough group that contained Saudi Arabia.
The Triesman tapes ... what he didn't say
"Under the cosh of a corrupt tyrant who resembles a pencil gonk and intimidates everyone like a 12-pint veteran at closing time."
Statistics
World Cup record: 1 finals
P4 W1 D1 L2 F5 A9
Highest finish: Quarter-finals in 1966
3: Goals North Korea led Portugal by in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals only to lose 5-3 as Eusébio banged in four
Fixtures
Brazil, 15 June, Ellis Park, 7.30pm
Portugal, 21 June, Green Point Stadium, 12.30pm
Ivory Coast, 25 June, Mbombela Stadium, 3pm
The verdict
They appear at the World Cup for only the second time, having been a sensation in England in 1966. The majority of the squad are drawn from domestic football and will be a well-drilled side. If there is a trickle of goals the captain, Hong Yong-jo, might take credit, although he has had little impact with Rostov in the Russian League.
Portugal
The team
History lesson
The last time they had to play 2010 group opponents Brazil and North Korea, Eusebio scored a hatful as Portugal reached the 1966 semis. They also reached the semi-finals last time out as the ageing Golden Generation turned a rusty bronze in Germany but surprisingly they have only ever qualified for two other World Cups, in 1986 and 2002, when they bowed out at the first stage on each occasion.
Tactics board
From tee to green they are inch perfect but the putter continues to be their downfall as they persist with their traditional formation of a lone non-goalscoring striker. They're not short on skilful players who, like the greenside hollers for Tiger Woods' ball, endeavour to "get in the hole", but Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Simão aren't always able to make up the shortfall of goals.
Grudge match
The countries may have signed the Treaty of Windsor in 1386, the world's oldest formal alliance between two nations, but Ronaldo's behaviour when Wayne Rooney was sent off in 2006 led England to believe Portugal are a bunch of winkers. For their part, Portugal weren't too fond of being nicknamed "Brazil B" by their group rivals.
Also known as
Selecção das Quinas means the Team of Five Shields and refers to the emblem on the national flag which represents the five kings that King Afonso I conquered.
The players
Vuvuzela superstar
Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to score in qualifying, will feel more at home in South Africa where, loud, irritating and spouting plenty of hot air, he has much in common with the local fans' instrument of choice.
There's always Bolton
With more tattoos than a Polynesian tribal chief, Porto's Raul Meireles has to carry more than just a personal art gallery, providing the ballast in a midfield otherwise populated by ballerinas. For that reason Arsène Wenger might be an interested observer.
Laager lout
The Brazil-born Real Madrid defender Pepe has been caught fighting team-mates, opponents, coaches and, infamously, arranging a blind date between his studs and the ribs of Getafe's Javier Casquero.
The coach
Body double
Carlos Queiroz doesn't just look like Simon Cowell, he also shares an interest in pop music: "The music, the songs, the words, brilliant. And you cannot imagine how much [the Black Eyed Peas] helped us move forward with this qualification."
Big game hunter
Queiroz has found the role of No2 less messy than No1, failing at Real Madrid and struggling with Portugal despite success as Sir Alex's yes-man at Old Trafford.
Loved or loathed
Having asked not to be dismissed as either "idiotic or lucky", he has plenty of work on this summer to win over his home nation.
The country
Commentators' kit
Charles Lindbergh was not the first person to fly across the Atlantic, contrary to popular belief. The Portuguese pair of Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral had already done so five years earlier in 1922, albeit a multi-stop South Atlantic route from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro.
They gave the world
Maybe not the world, exactly, but the Portuguese princess Catarina de Bragança did introduce the custom of drinking tea to the British. King Charles II's wife brought in her 1662 dowry a chest full of Chinese tea leaves (and the not inconsiderable matter of the city of Bombay).
National monument
For a nation proud of its explorers it is strange that their travel-sick footballers have never triumphed on foreign shores.
Qualifying
Like a heavyweight on Celebrity Fit Club they made hard work of what should have been a stroll. After finishing below Denmark but above Sweden, they squeezed past Bosnia- Herzegovina in a play-off.
The Triesman tapes ... what he didn't say
"Port-swilling, showboating, piri piri-splashing winkers with tiny custard tarts and music so depressing it makes Leonard Cohen sound cheery."
Statistics
World Cup record: 4 finals
P19 W11 D1 L7 F32 A21
Highest finish: Third place in 1966
10: The goals scored without reply by England in Portugal's biggest defeat, at Wembley on 25 May, 1947
Fixtures
Ivory Coast, 15 June, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3pm
North Korea, 21 June, Green Point Stadium, 12.30pm
Brazil, 25 June, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 3pm
The verdict
Despite Portugal's high world ranking they started so poorly it took a play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina to get through. Injury factors apply and Ricardo Carvalho has faded. Carlos Queiroz must get the most out of veterans such as Deco. Cristiano Ronaldo will have to put featureless showings in the qualifiers behind him.
Kevin McCarra The Guardian
Paddy Power Index
Brazil 9/2 Portugal 25/1 Ivory Coast 50/1 North Korea 2000/1
SportTrades Group Predictions
1 Brazil
2 Ivory Coast
3 Portugal
4 North Korea
We predict a shock and Ivory Coast to pip Portugal to qualify for the next round. Drogba is a doubt and we feel that Portugal have more expertise in diving. So if Drogba misses out then 2nd Portugal and 3rd Ivory Coast.
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