Group G favorite to claim dreaded 'Group of Death' tag

Cape Town - No World Cup would be complete without a "Group of Death" and Friday's draw for the 2010 edition in South Africa seems to have bestowed the honor this time around on five-time winners Brazil. The Selecao will need to overcome the challenge of Portugal and Ivory Coast as well as unknown quantities North Korea in Group G if they are to remain in the hunt for a record sixth crown in the final on July 11 at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

"Our group is the most difficult of the World Cup," said Brazil coach Dunga. "The footballing world has drawn so close together that there aren't any easy games any more."

However, hosts South Africa could also lay claim to the dubious honor after being pitted against Mexico, Uruguay and 2006 finalists France in Group A, although coach Carlos Alberto Parreira refused to claim the moniker for his side.

"This is the first time since many, many World Cup competitions that there is no Group of Death and no easy groups. All the groups are finely balanced," the Brazilian, who coached the Selecao to success in 1994, said.

"I think that we probably have the toughest group of the balanced groups. We are the only group which has two former world champions."

Germany shouldn't be too pleased either after being drawn alongside Australia, Serbia and Ghana in Group D although, like Parreira, coach Joachim Loew remained upbeat.

"It's a relatively evenly-matched group," he said. "What's important is that we win our opening match against Australia to build up our self-confidence."