Group G (Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Portugal)

[Craig_H]

Easy to just type it down on there

T&T managed a goalless draw with Sweden and only lost 2-0 in their other two games.

I was reading an article the other day about NK, saying how their players were considerably smaller and lighter than even their South Korean counterparts.

If this is true, the game against the Ivory Coast is going to be a catastrophic mismatch in terms of physicality

[-V-]

Drogba might get sent off for killing one of them then

[Craig_H]

he might do. That would be funny.

Sent off in a CL final and then at the world cup too, would be enjoyable.

[Matt]

Bet we still wouldn't score a set piece against them though.

[Mattshark]

I think Portugal lack mental strength - look through the squad and it's just one crybaby after another IMO. Very few leaders.

Agreed, they also couldn't beat the Cape Verde Islands.

[Shaggy]

I wouldn't read anything into these ridiculous friendly results. Serbia lost to NZ, Spain needed a 93rd minute winner to beat SAUDI ARABIA and England needed two OGs to beat Japan. Happens before every tournament, it's meaningless. Besides Portugal beat a strong Cameroon side last night.

[Mattshark]

I wouldn't read anything into these ridiculous friendly results. Serbia lost to NZ, Spain needed a 93rd minute winner to beat SAUDI ARABIA and England needed two OGs to beat Japan. Happens before every tournament, it's meaningless. Besides Portugal beat a strong Cameroon side last night.

Meh, you also see those teams sometimes are massively overrated and Portugal are experts at ****ing up tournaments, as they do it pretty much every time they qualify.

[Shaggy]

Don't get me wrong I think they're pretty **** and will go out in the 2nd round, but you can't read anything into the result against Cape Verde.

[Mattshark]

Don't get me wrong I think they're pretty **** and will go out in the 2nd round, but you can't read anything into the result against Cape Verde.

Well, I know FIFA world rankings are flawed but:
101 United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates 310 -1 Down 0
102 Libya Libya 309 0 Equal 4
103 Congo Congo 308 -2 Down 0
104 Jordan Jordan 300 -1 Down -1
105 Korea DPR Korea DPR 285 1 Up -7
106 Thailand Thailand 276 -1 Down -18
107 Rwanda Rwanda 269 0 Equal 0
108 Tanzania Tanzania 261 0 Equal 2
109 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan 259 1 Up 2
110 Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 258 3 Up 10
111 Namibia Namibia 251 1 Up 0
112 Yemen Yemen 248 -3 Down -10
113 Kenya Kenya 243 1 Up 0
114 Guatemala Guatemala 241 1 Up 0
114 Cape Verde Islands Cape Verde Islands 241 3 Up 5

[tommyg]

ESPNSoccernet

FIFA has confirmed North Korea will be only be able to play striker Kim Myong-Won as a goalkeeper at this summer's World Cup.

North Korea named Kim, who plays as a striker for Amrokgang, as one of their goalkeepers as they looked to boost their attacking options, relying on just two shot-stoppers for the tournament.

However, the World Cup Regulations state that "each association will be required to provide FIFA with a final list of no more than 23 players (three of whom shall be goalkeepers)".

FIFA has now told the country they will not be allowed to use Kim as an outfield player and, unless there is an injury, no changes will be permitted to their final squad.

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Ridiculous! However North Korea should have complied and listed 3 Keepers

[Shaggy]

[elrichio86]

Its a bit of a daft rule tbf. They should be allowed to pick whoever they want

[Matt]

Has any team, in world cup history, ever called upon the services of the 3rd choice keeper?

FIFA should **** off.

[Matt]

And why can't keepers play outfield if required? If a keeper is sent off, the team is able to put an outfield player in goal!

[Craig_H]

Brilliant story.

FIFA are being dicks, quelle surprise...