Portugal vs North Korea – teams announced
Published:Portugal have made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Ivory Coast for their Group G clash with North Korea, which kicks off at 12.30pm.
Forwards Hugo Almeida and Simao come in for Danny and Liedson, while Tiago replaces the injured Deco. Full-back Paulo Ferreira makes way for Miguel.
Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the captain’s armband, and Portugal’s goalscoring hopes will rest with the Real Madrid winger. He is 11/4 to score first.
North Korea are unchanged from their valiant 2-1 loss to Brazil. Jong Tae Se, the ‘Asian Wayne Rooney’, leads the attack and he is 8/1 to be a shock first scorer.
The only previous World Cup encounter between the two sides – at the quarter-final stage in 1966 – was a classic, with Portugal recovering from 3-0 down to win 5-3. Portugal are convincing 1/3 favourites to win today.
The confirmed starting line-ups are:
Portugal: Eduardo; B Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao, Miguel; Meireles, Mendes, Thiago; Simao, Hugo Almeida, Ronaldo (Captain)
North Korea: Myong Guk; Jong Hyok, Kwang Chon, Chol Jin, Jun Il; Yong Hak, Nam Chol, Yun Nam, In Guk; Tae Se, Yong Jo (Captain)
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