Silva
This went well.
Well, the group is almost decided, but why not? 
It would take a perfect storm for Ivory Coast progress ahead of Portugal - about a 10 goal difference between both nations. However, the first place is still up for grabs. The good thing about the order of the games is that the teams can't choose who they'll be paired with - at this point, Spain can either play with the first or the second - or even neither of them. The best part - no chance of picking between Brazil and Portugal either.
Even so, it's still a question of honor for both nations. Brazil doesn't want to lose momentum to Portugal, while Queirós wants to put the 6-2 defeat a couple of years behind his back. I'm not expecting much from the game - there's not much at stake, and the risk of injuries or suspensions is a lot more important than settling scores.
However, Dunga was jumping like a madman at the final minutes of the match against Ivory Coast instead of calming his players down, and Queirós isn't exactly level-headed, so there might be a surprise or two. Still going with 0-0, or 1-1 in a slow paced match.
On the other match, Ivory Coast has to pummel North Korea senseless, who in turn want to avoid another beating, more than winning a point. Ivory Coast proved to be a bit patchy on finishing, and when they're defending in block, NK is one tough cookie. After a goalless first 25 minutes of intense pressure, the Ivorians will lose the little faith left, but eventually build up and win 2-0.
Your predictions?
It would take a perfect storm for Ivory Coast progress ahead of Portugal - about a 10 goal difference between both nations. However, the first place is still up for grabs. The good thing about the order of the games is that the teams can't choose who they'll be paired with - at this point, Spain can either play with the first or the second - or even neither of them. The best part - no chance of picking between Brazil and Portugal either.
Even so, it's still a question of honor for both nations. Brazil doesn't want to lose momentum to Portugal, while Queirós wants to put the 6-2 defeat a couple of years behind his back. I'm not expecting much from the game - there's not much at stake, and the risk of injuries or suspensions is a lot more important than settling scores.
However, Dunga was jumping like a madman at the final minutes of the match against Ivory Coast instead of calming his players down, and Queirós isn't exactly level-headed, so there might be a surprise or two. Still going with 0-0, or 1-1 in a slow paced match.
On the other match, Ivory Coast has to pummel North Korea senseless, who in turn want to avoid another beating, more than winning a point. Ivory Coast proved to be a bit patchy on finishing, and when they're defending in block, NK is one tough cookie. After a goalless first 25 minutes of intense pressure, the Ivorians will lose the little faith left, but eventually build up and win 2-0.
Your predictions?
