The team with the worst FIFA ranking in the World Cup have somehow managed to find themselves in the toughest group.
North Korea, ranked 105, meet live chances Brazil and Portugal as well as African powerhouse Ivory Coast in Group G and it is hard to see how on earth they will get a point let alone get out of the group stage.
With little firepower and a huge reliance on Jong Tae-se, North Korea may not even score against these teams but it will the eagerness of the opposition to post high scores that may fall into the hands of Kim Jong-hun's men.
Brazil and Portugal, and to a lesser extent Ivory Coast, will want to make sure they are on target when they take on the North Koreans as it could be a real confidence-boosting match but the Asian players may see this as an opportunity to attack on the counter whilst the others try to get all of their players forward .
This may be wishful thinking but it's the only way I can see North Korea scoring and I'm afraid they are in South Africa simply to make up the numbers.
North Korea
Playing schedule: Brazil (Johannesburg) June 15; Portugal (Cape Town) June 21; Ivory Coast (Nelspruit) June 25
Also known as: Choilima Manager: Kim Jong-Hun (PRK) Captain: Hong Yong-Jo Key players: Jong Tae-Se, Ri Myong-Guk, Ahn Young-Hak Wildcard: Mun In-Guk Player to watch: Pak Nam-Chol Most caps: Kim Yong-Jun (53) Top goalscorer: Jong Tae-Se (15) FIFA ranking: 105 Qualifying: 2nd in Group A of AFC group stage. Appearance: 2nd Best result: Quarter finals - 1966
Korea DPR
Goalkeepers
Ri Myong-Guk (Pyongyang City) Kim Myong-Gil (Amrokgang) Kim Myonig-Won (Amrokgang)
Defenders
Cha Jong-Hyok (Amrokgang) Ri Jun-Il (Sobaeksu) Ri Kwang-Chon (April 25) Nam Song-Chol (April 25) Ji Yun-Nam (April 25) Ri Kwang-Hyok (Kyonggongop) Pak Chol-Jin (Amrokgang) Pak Sung-Hyok (Sobraeksu) Pak Nam-Chol (Amrokgang)
Midfielders
Mun In-Guk (April 25) Kim Yong-Jun (Pyongyang City) Ri Chol-Myong (Pyongyang City) Pak Nam-Chol (April 25) Ahn Young-Hak (Omiya Ardija) Kim Kyong-Il (Rimyongsu)
Hong Yong-Jo (FC Rostov) An Chol-Hyok (Rimyongsu) Jong Tae-Se (Kawsaki Frontale) Choe Kum-Chol (Rimyongsu) Kim Kum-Il (April 25)
