This is arguably the most exciting group of all. Brazil need no introduction. They ae the South American kings of football. Five time winners Brazil are the most popular team with fans everywhere around the world.
Portugal play a similar style of soccer as Brazil, and have semi-final entries in Euro 2008 and World Cup 2006 to attest to their potential.
This time we have a new look Brazil under a new coach in Dunga. Dunga was a defender in the 1994 cup winning team, and he has moulded the team in his own defensive image, something that football fans in Brazil have not accepted willingly.
Brazil are known for their samba style of football, and it is not enough for them to win the cup; they must also do it with their traditional style of play, if their fans are to be satisfied, back home. That said, Dunga's team have been winning more often than not, and the coach is quite happy to grind out wins, regardless of how they come.
Ivory Coast, arguably the strongest African representation at this tournament, have produced some exciting players who have starred for European clubs. Chelsea's Drogba is perhaps the most eminent. Drogba's injury is the latest worry for his team who are hoping the Chelsea star will recover in time to play at the World Cup, in South Africa.
Then there is Portugal whose team has managed to reach the last four of Germany 2006 and EURO 2008. N. Korea are the weakest, though a fast improving team, in the group.
Brazil's players won't lose much sleep over the prospect of playing either Ivory Coast or N. Korea, teams they haven't met before. Portugal is a different story. In the solitary match the teams played in World Cup 1966, the score card was 3-1, in Portugal's favour! But that was 44 years ago.
Portugal have also beaten their famed rivals in a couple of friendlies in the last few years, although Brazil had the last laugh in 2008, handing out a 6-2 walloping. Portugal beat N.Korea in World Cup 1966, the only time these teams met. Ivory Coast have never played either of them.
However, Nani's injury is a big blow for Portugal. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't scored an international goal since 2008.
My gut feeling is that this is the group that's going to give us an upset, or two!
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