Brazil and Portugal must survive 'Group of Death'

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - A high-profile casualty is inevitable in the World Cup's Group G with Brazil, Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire fighting for two places while North Korea concentrate on damage limitation.

Brazil have lifted the trophy that symbolises global football supremacy a record five times, Portugal finished fourth at the last tournament in 2006 and many pundits consider Cote d'Ivoire the best African bet for glory.

And while North Korea are universally regarded as 'cannon fodder', none of the 32 challengers has prepared more thoroughly than the little-known squad from the reclusive nation.