Striker Jong Tae-se has boldly predicted North Korea will progress to the knockout stage of the World Cup alongside five-time winners Brazil.

Kim Jong-hun's side, who have so far kept their training sessions completely under wraps in South Africa, open their Group G campaign against the Brazilians next Tuesday before tackling Portugal and the Ivory Coast.

North Korea reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in their only other appearance 44 years ago.

Few are expecting them to repeat such heroics this time, but Japan-based striker Jong - who netted in Sunday's 3-1 friendly defeat to Nigeria - has promised to score in every pool game and fire his side through to the last 16.

"I will keep my promise of scoring one goal per game," he said in The Chosun Ilbo. "In our group, it will be Brazil and North Korea who will advance."

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