North Korean team touches down in SAfrica

Johannesburg: North Korea's squad has arrived in South Africa ahead of its first World Cup appearance in more than 40 years.

The plane carrying the players touched down midmorning on Tuesday at O.R. Tambo airport on an Air France plane from Japan before the squad was transferred by bus to the special World Cup arrival facility, emerging wearing smart suits and waving small North Korean flags.

North Korea last appeared at a World Cup in 1966, where it surprised Italy 1-0 en route to the quarterfinals.

The 2010 squad, which is coached by Kim Jong Hun, is an unknown quantity — but will likely rely heavily on Japan-based striker Jong Tae Se.

The team plays Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast in arguably the hardest of the groups.