Jong Tae-se is determined to register his first World Cup goal against Portugal on Monday as North Korea bid for an unexpected place in the last 16.

The East Asians produced a creditable performance in their first World Cup match in 44 years as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to five-time winners Brazil on Tuesday.

A resilient defensive display was key to North Korea keeping Brazil down to two goals, and they may be capable of frustrating sides with less attacking flair.

They next face a Portugal side looking to respond from an uninspiring goalless draw with the Ivory Coast in their Group G opener.

Jong, whose header set-up Ji Yun-nam to score the late consolation against Brazil, is eager to get off the mark against Portugal and help his side to a shock victory.

"I'm going to try to improve for the next game and score my first goal," the Kawasaki Frontale striker said on FIFA.com.

"Portugal are a top-class team, like Brazil, and it is going to be very hard but we're going to keep trying to make it."