north korea

 Manager: Kim Jong-Hun
Captain: Hong Yong-Jo
FIFA Ranking: 105
World Cup appearances: 1 – 1966
Best World Cup: Quarter-Finals – 1966 

North Korea Team Profile

North Korea were the surprise package during qualifying as they defied the odds to snatch one of the four available automatic qualification spots to book their rightful place in South Africa where they’ll take to the field for just their second World Cup. The last time North Korea were involved in such a prestigious and global football spectacle was way back in 1966, a year when England won the World Cup on English soil and the North Koreans surpassed everyone’s expectations by finishing as a losing quarter-finalists. They surely won’t record a personal best in South Africa as times have dramatically changed since their glory days of 66, but the Koreans will nevertheless make the most of this glorious opportunity, while their reward for all their hard work during qualifying was to be dropped slap bang in the middle of South Africa’s version of the ‘Group of Death’.

North Korea, if they were truly honest with each other, won’t make any real inroads considering the standard of football around Europe and South America these days, so the dream would have been to land a group which consisted of at least one of the world’s biggest footballing forces. They got that in Brazil, but as typical as their surprise inclusion in South Africa was, North Korea were then handed their second dream game as Portugal were drawn in the same group as themselves, as well as an interesting match up with the Ivory Coast from South Africa. The Koreans will get a taster of just about everything in South Africa, making their qualification well worthwhile despite the likelihood of some big defeats in South Africa when they finally land. 

Nickname: Chollima

North Korea Key Players

The majority of the North Korea team are based in Asia, plying their trade in either the North Korean league of the Japanese J-League. With this, means the squad aren’t instantly recognisable, while none actually ring any bells if truth be told. But that will be seen as a double edged sword in that while the assumption maybe that North Korea’s players aren’t perhaps good enough to play in Europe, the fact we don’t know an awful lot about them makes them a little bit dangerous due to their unknown quantity feel about them.

Hong Yong-Jo looks to be the leading player in the North Korea camp, while he’s one of just a handful in the squad which has European experience through playing in Russia with FC Rostov. Yong-Jo is one of the more matured players in the Korea squad at 27 years-old, while his experience in Russia, aided by his 11 goals in 38 international appearances has led to Yong-Jo receiving the captains armband for his country.  

Jong Tong-Se or ‘The People’s Rooney’ as the natives like to call him, is one of the more exciting players in the North Korea team, with his ambition and forward aggression complimented by some natural pace. Jong is a player which can make things happen, he doesn’t sit around waiting for the ball to come to him, the Kawasaki Frontale forward isn’t afraid to come deep and collect the ball from the half-way line, while at the same time he has this fearless attitude when it comes to charging into the heart of the opponents defence. The same can be said about some of his ‘audacious’ attempts from distance, willing to have a pop at goal.

We’ve seen Jong Tong-Se in action on a few occasions and every time we’ve been impressed with small Korean. From a nation where no-one really expects them to pull up trees in South Africa, to have a player with so much talent was quite startling. Believe me when I say this, Jong Tong-Se is player to keep an eye out for in South Africa.

Strengths

Undoubtedly North Korea’s strength is their defending. The coach, Kim Jong-Hun, is clearly a wise man as throughout qualifying he kept faith with Korea’s solid set up, defending with large numbers but in an organised and well disciplined fashion They are a tough team to break down as they work hard and vigourously as a defensive unit to reduce the time and space the opponent has to enjoy on the ball when they approach Korea’s penalty area. Jong-Hun knows full well that were he to play attacking football, even against those nations back home in Asia who are superior in technical ability, his players would be on the receiving end of a mauling. The aim in South Africa will be more of the same; defend in numbers, with discipline and with army like organisation in a bid to perhaps sneak a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

Weaknesses

The lack of well know players, the fact Korea don’t seem to have a striker in their midst to score the necessary amount of goals in South Africa needed to spring a surprise, there is plenty to be concerned about with North Korea. The fact only a select few ply their trade over in Europe is a massive concern as give half the chance, every one of the North Korean players would jump at the opportunity to play in Europe, which basically means they aren’t good enough.

North Korea Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Asia
Group: 2
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 4-4-0
Goals Scored: 12
Goals Conceded: 4 

World Cup Potential: 1/5

While few will even give North Korea a mention in their games in South Africa, the coach and the players will arrive in high spirits feeling confident that they can spring a few surprise. The aim will be not to fold or roll over in a Group most teams would be scared senseless about playing in.

The Koreans are a team full of home-grown players, with the majority of the team based in Asia. While this remains an apparent flaw in that very few have had the chance nor are good enough to play in some of Europe’s biggest leagues, it should lead to a closer group of players, a more united front from the Koreans as they set out to raise a few eyebrows in South Africa. We, though, if we’re brutally honest, can only see the Koreans leaving Africa with nothing to show for their hard work during qualifying, but then again just to be in their second World Cup in South Africa is an achievement in itself, while an expected ’0′ points from their tough looking group will only slightly taint what will be a memorable few weeks for North Korea and it’s fans back home nonetheless

North Korea World Cup Betting Odds

North Korea to win the World Cup:         2500 – Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on North Korea were 200/1 

Official North Korea World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Myong-Guk Ri (Pyongyang City)
Myong-Gil Kim (Amrokgang)
 

Defenders

Jong-Hyok Cha (Amrokgang)
Yun-Nam Ji (April 25)
Song Chol Nam (April 25)
Nam-Chol Pak (Amrokgang)
Chol-Jin Pak (Amrokgang)
Jun-Il Ri (Sobaeksu)
Kwang-Chon Ri
Kwang-Hyok Ri (April 25)
 

Midfielders

Yong-Hak An (Omiya Ardija)
Kyong-Il Kim (Rimyongsu)
Yong-Jun Kim (Pyongyang City)
In-Guk Mun (April 25)
Nam-Chol Pak (Amrokgang)
Chol-Myong Ri (Pyongyang City)
Sung Hyok Pak (Sobaeksu)
 

Strikers

Chol-Hyok An (Rimyongsu)
Kum-Chol Choe (April 25)
Tae Se Jong (= Chong Tese) (Kawasaki Frontale)
Yong-Jo Hong (FK Rostow)
Kum-Il Kim (April 25)
Myong-Won Kim (Pyongyang)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 North Korea Fixtures – Group G

World Cup 2010 Group G - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

Brazil V North Korea

Kick-off: Tuesday, 15th June – 19:30 GMT
Stadium: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
Group G

Brazil

Brazil need no introduction other than the five-time winners of the competition are on the prowl for a sixth FIFA World Cup title and if any country is to make history by becoming the first nation to win a FIFA World Cup in the African continent, it is to be Brazil, one of just two countries to this day to have won the competition outside of their own continent, with Argentina being the other. However, Brazil have done so on three occasions and are arguably the best suited team heading to South Africa, as well as being one of the more equipped and the small matter that they are the best international footballing nation of all time.

The last time Brazil won a FIFA World Cup was back in 2002 and even that will seem an age for a nation which treats World Cup finals like the norm. Four years ago at the 2006 finals in Germany, Brazil endured their poorest campaign since 1990 when they exited the competition at the quarter-finals. To most, a quarter-final appearance would be considered a huge success but Brazil they expect nothing less than to be contesting final after final. So much so that their disappointing stay in Germany ended a streak of three successive appearances in the final of a World Cup. It’s an outstanding achievement but for Brazil it’s nothing less than they expect.

At the Brazilian helm we have a man who won the FIFA World Cup as a player back in 1994 in Dunga, whose decision to sacrifice flair for all round solitary has been met with scepticism and a heap load of criticism back home. Although why anyone expected anything less from a man who spent his entire career trying to ensure the Brazil rearguard, an area of the field which has always been a weakness if you like, was well protected. So much so that Dunga has reinforced his defence by opting for two holding midfielders in Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo, a move which hasn’t gone down well with many of the natives. Accompanied by the dismissals of Adriano and Ronaldinho and some say Dunga is tarnishing the reputation of Brazilian football even though the likes of Robinho and Kaka are still at the forefront in the Brazil starting eleven

The ‘Samba Kings’ sailed through their warm up games against Zimbabwe and Tanzania in some style, recording 3-0 and 5-1 wins respectively. Of course their opponents were less than average but some of the football that was played from the Brazil team was breathtaking, so how anyone can claim Brazil have lost some of their technical roots is beyond me. Robinho appears to have his smile back after a torrid time over in England, Kaka is the man pulling all the strings in midfield and Luis Fabiano, while he hasn’t been scoring goals for fun of late, has found the net with ease in recent years and should find the goal once again against North Korea.

All the talk beforehand was how well organised and resolute Brazil are in defence under Dunga but the Brazilians have the opportunity here to express themselves in an attacking sense against a team which will look to defend for the most part and play on the counter.

North Korea

North Korea will partake in their first World Cup since 1966, that famous year when England last lifted the trophy aloft. Since then, there has been a number of did not enters and withdrawals, as well as a couple of failures, but they had their superior goal difference to thank for their berth into the South Africa World Cup as the ousted Saudi Arabia and Iran in Asian qualifying.

All the talk beforehand was of North Korea’s attempt to sneak another forward in the disguise of a goalkeeper. FIFA quickly stubbed out their sneaky ploy by declaring that all goalkeepers must honour their keeping duties and are not permitted to play outfield. While the underhand tactic was thwarted by those upstairs, Korea sent out an early signal of intent that they meant business in South Africa and that in no small part are they going to take to the field and roll over.

It is extremely difficult to find any sort of case for North Korea, whose best option is to stick ten men behind the ball and pray Brazil have a rare off-day in front of goal. That seems a huge ask, an almost impossible scenario, so the Koreans need to somehow conjure a few meaningful attacks during the course of the game in order to halt Brazil’s forward momentum. One man, arguably the one man, capable of lifting North Korea and producing some magic is forward Jong Tae-Se. The Kawasaki Frontale player stood out like a sore thumb during pre-World Cup internationals, scoring twice again the Greek’s in an unbelievable solo display from Tae-Se. He’s a player with absolutely no fear and will at least have an attempt from distance if given the time and space to eye up the goal.

Apart from Tae-Se, who has been dubbed as the ‘People’s Wayne Rooney’, North Korea look toothless. The vast majority of their squad, all bar three players in fact, play their football in the North Korean leagues while none whatsoever has proven so far that they’re good enough for Europe. That doesn’t bode at all well and after watching them against Nigeria just before the finals when losing 3-1, it wasn’t hard to see why. If North Korea concede early then we fear the worst.

Match Odds:

Brazil – 1.11 SkyBet
Draw – 11.00 Bodog
North Korea – 34.00 VCbet

Our Prediction: Brazil to WIN – 1.11 SkyBet

If Dunga’s Brazil don’t land the spoils in this contest it would be the biggest upset in the history of the World Cup. Even a draw would reverberate around South Africa, but that won’t happen and while no team is ever a certainty to come through, there really shouldn’t be any doubt about Brazil overhauling a talentless North Korea. Like we said earlier, this game provides the Brazil forwards with an ample opportunity to bolster their international records with a few goals if they assert themselves right from kick-off.

There are several among the Brazil team which arrive in South Africa off the back of poor domestic campaigns looking to show their worth on the international stage. While it may only be North Korea, an impressive display from the likes of Kaka, Robinho, Elano and Fabiano would rekindle their hopes and aspirations heading into next seasons domestic campaigns.

Our Recommended Bet: Robinho & Kaka Both to Score – 4.50 SkyBet

Korea DPR

Pre-World Friendly Form: D

Greece 2-2 North Korea
Nigeria – North Korea

North Korea are the rank outsiders for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and are ranked 105 in the world according to the FIFA Rankings meaning they arrive in South Africa as the lowest ranked team. So, it won’t have been music to the ears of the North Koreans desperate to see some knock-out football when they were drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast. However, if there gutsy display against Greece in their first warm up game was anything to go by, Korea DPR may just be more than a handful than many anticipate. Despite trailing early on, Korea DPR took the lead through two fabulous goals from a player the natives refer to as ‘The People’s Rooney’ in Jong Tae-Se. We were fortunate enough to watch this game and can honestly say North Korea were outstanding, with Jong Tae-Se in particular very impressive for the Koreans. Tae-Se was a constant threat to the Greece defenders, with his adventurous and fearless forward runs confusing an experienced Greek defence, while it finishing was sublime. That was a big result for North Korea and one which, had you watched or seen glimpses of, may change your opinion of Korea DPR from a football perspective.

Korea Republic

Pre-World Friendly Form:  LLWW

Korea Republic 2-0 Ecuador
Japan 0-2 Korea Republic
Korea Republic 0-1 Belarus
Spain 1-0 South Korea

The South Koreans haven’t faired too bad in their pre-World Cup friendlies, with their only jilt coming against Belarus. That defeat to Belarus did come as a shock although Belarus aren’t the worst European nation around and did earn a draw against Honduras a few days before. Before that though, Korea, who made the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup on home soil, etched two impressive victories over a dangerous Ecuador from South America and Asian rivals Japan, in Japan as well, beating the ‘Samurai Blue’ 2-0. Out of all the Asian contingents, South Korea are shaping up as one of the likelier nations to make the knock-out stage.

South Korea were expected to be put through their paces against the competition favourites Spain in Austria, but instead it was the Koreans making all the headlines but holding their own against the European champions. For over 80 minutes South Korea held their own against the Spanish and remained on terms, even creating a few openings themselves, decent ones at that which perhaps should have found the back of net. However, a sublime curling effort from Seville winger Jese Navas ensured South Korea’s industrious efforts were in vein, at least from a scoreline point of view, although their display on the whole was very pleasing and certainly provided coach Jung-Moo with some positive aspects to build upon ahead of their clash with Greece on June 12th.

Mexico

Pre-World Friendly Form: WWLLWW

Mexico 1-0 Senegal
Mexico 1-0 Angola
Mexico 1-0 Chile
England 3-1 Mexico
Holland 2-1 Mexico
Mexico 5-1 Gambia
Mexico 2-1 Italy

What with so many friendlies under their belts, Mexico will surely have the edge over all of their Group A opponents in South Africa in regards to overall fitness and match sharpness. Coach Javier Aguirre must of felt his players weren’t sharp enough as some returned from their European domestic seasons, and he may have been right. Despite winning three on the spin at one stage, beating Senegal, Angola and Chile all by a 1-0 scoreline in succession, Mexico came unstuck against the type of nations they will have to beat if they want to end their spooky voodoo of exiting the last four World Cup’s at the last-sixteen stage.

Against England, Mexico shown glimpse of genuine quality, with their crisp passing, slick interchanging and the pace at which they break promising. They weren’t the most organied of defences though, as was the same against Holland where they conceded two sloppy first half goals before Javier Hernandez, one of their promising youngsters for the future, scored in the second period to ensure Mexico got on the score sheet for the fifth game in a row. Mexico later made it six games in a row without failing to score when smashing Gambia 5-1, Javier Hernandez grabbing two in the rout.

On the whole pleasing, but there remains areas of the pitch, desfence in particular, where Aguirre needs to tweak before Mexico can really begin hyping up their chances of progressing from Group A. They do have goals in them and they will be one of the more entertaining teams to watch in South Africa.

Mexico’s seventh and final warm up game was against the reigning world champions Italy. If ever a coach wanted to test the mental capacity of his team as well as their potential to perform against the big teams then it was against the 2006 World Cup winners. Even so, we doubt even Javier Aguirre had envisaged a victory over the Italians, with Mexico finishing their preparations in some style with a 2-1 win over Italy. Goals from Carlos Vela and Alberto Medina were enough to see El Tri run out winners in a surprisingly high-tempered game, with no less than four Mexico players receiving a caution.

Netherlands

Pre-World Friendly Form:

Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
Netherlands 4-1 Ghana
Netherlands 6-1 Hungary

The Dutch have looked mightily impressive so far, despatching of Mexico and Ghana with a touch of class and comfort. Against the Mexicans, Holland stormed into a 2-0 lead and appeared to have the game wrapped up before half-time, with perhaps a big scoreline on the cards. They stepped off the gas in the second half though and had to settle for a less emphatic 2-1 win. Ghana though, well, Holland let rip against ‘The Black Stars’ of Africa, as the Dutch displayed their fabulous team-work, cohesion and all-round technical ability to blow Ghana away.

Holland have attracted plenty of support in the outright market and their recent display would indicate that punters are jumping on a team with the potential to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup and one bang in form, on top of their game.

Bert Van Marwijk’s men were in six-y mood in their final game before the finals, smashing Hungary 6-1 as Holland recorded their third win on the trot and ensured they went into South Africa on a winning run. Despite conceding early on, Holland remained composed and goals from Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Elia, Van Bommel and a brace from Arjen Robben, who who subsequently left the pitch in discomfort, was more than enough to see Holland register yet another impressive win. The Dutch are quickly shaping up as a serious player in South Africa with these dominant displays.

New Zealand

Pre-World Friendly Form: LWL

Australia 2-1 New Zealand
Serbia 0-1 New Zealand
Slovenia 3-1 New Zealand
New Zealand – Chile

Just one win over Serbia is all New Zealand have to show for themselves after three internationals. The Kiwi’s started pretty well actually, unfortunately losing 2-1 to neighbours Australia after conceding in the 94th minute. Their second game seen them produce on of the shock results of this warm up period, beating a potential dark horse in Serbia 1-0 via a scruffy Smeltz goal. New Zealand weren’t to make it back-to-back wins however when falling to a 3-1 defeat against Slovenia. Ricki Herbert’s players were completely outclassed if truth be told, with only a Rory Fallon strike avoiding a whitewash.

Nigeria

Pre-World Friendly Form: DD

Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Nigeria 1-1 Colombia
Nigeria V North Korea

The African ‘Super Eagles’ didn’t make the most convincing of starts in their bid to get in tip-top shape ahead of a testing World Cup campaign South Africa, where they’ll face Argentina, South Korea and Greece in Group B. It began with stalemate after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in a game Nigeria failed to produce anything concrete in front of goal. Their second also ended in a share of the spoils, as Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw with non-qualifiers Colombia. Lars Lagerback’s men did at least get on the score sheet through Lukman Haruna. Nigeria will pit their wits against one of the rank outsiders, North Korea, before switching their attention towards the finals and qualifying from a competitive Group B.

Paraguay

Pre-World Friendly Form: WDL

Republic of Ireland 2-1 Paraguay
Paraguay 2-2 Cote d’Ivoire
Greece 0-2 Paraguay

It looked as though Paraguay, one of the more fancied outsiders for South Africa, were going to head into the finals without a victory to shout about. However, in the final game before the finals, Paraguay etched out an impressive and confidence producing win over 2004 European champions Greece, with goals from Lucas Barrios and Vera restoring some winning mentality following a draw with Ivory Coast and defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The defeat did come first against the Irish, and perhaps it is a testament to the coach and the players that they overcome their opening setback to later on record a draw and a win. Barrios was once again on the score sheet against Ireland, as well was he against the Ivory Coast, with the Borussia Dortmund forward scoring in every game for Paraguay thus far.

Although the 2-0 victory over the Greek’s was the most pleasing of results on paper, Paraguay’s comeback against Ivory Coast impressed us the most as it was a game Paraguay looked destined to lose at one stage. Roque Santa Cruz’s second half appearance was what spurred Paraguay on, while it was a stunning volley from Barrios which sparked the revival. Paraguay have shown some early ability to defy adversity, to put losses behind them and to recover from deficits in games. Two traits which can only benefit them in South Africa.

Portugal

Pre-World Friendly Form: WD

Portugal 0-0 Cape Verde
Portugal 3-1 Cameroon
Portugal – Mozambique

The Portuguese will arrive in South Africa as an outsider can you believe it, although they were justifying their outsider tag when only mustering a draw against minnows Cape Verde. It was another alarming display from Portugal, lacking any cutting edge of clinical play in front of goal. That wasn’t to be the case against Cameroon though, with Portugal finally exerting some forward supremacy with goals from Raul Meireles, two in fact from the midfielder, and Manchester United winger Nani. Ronaldo, though, failed to find the goal in both encounters and that’s a worrying sign considering the hopes of a nation rest upon his broad shoulders.

Portugal will complete their warm up campaign against Mozambique on June 7th before fully committing to the forthcoming finals, where they’ll clash with Brazil and Ivory Coast in the ‘Group of Death’ as well as North Korea in Group G.

Paraguay‘s FIFA World Cup preparations ahead of their stay in South Africa next month began with a friendly against a fellow World Cup competitor, North Korea.

76 places in FIFA’s Ranking separated the two nations before kick-off although the early stages made noticing the inferior team impossible, as North Korea enjoyed the opening 45 minutes without really carving out a clear opening. In fact, long range efforts were the call, with Kim Jong-Hun’s men often resorting to speculative efforts which, although weren’t a million miles away, was concerning that a team apparently good enough to make the finals of a World Cup can’t craft an opening through neat interchanging and team work.

In fairness, Paraguay, supposedly the superior nation, were surprisingly poor and mustered very little throughout. They too were reduced to speculative efforts, although they did improve in the second period and rattled the woodwork twice before a slice of good fortune went there way when a North Korea defender handled the ball inside his own penalty area gifting Roque Santa Cruz the chance to put Paraguay ahead from the spot. The Man City forward duly despatched the spot-kick with ease and class to put Paraguay 1-0 and send them on their way to a narrow 1-0 victory.

Positives/Negatives: The fact Paraguay weren’t at all threatening in the first period leads us to believe that with some steely determination and hard work, North Korea might somehow muster a draw in South Africa, although their extremely tough draw makes even that unlikely. We would rate their defending as pretty decent; well organised and disciplined. From an attacking sense, however, the Koreans were lethargic and severely lacked the creativity needed to shine at the highest level. Jong-Hun’s men were so often reduced to long-range efforts, leading us to believe that only a wonder-goal or two will stand them any chance of nicking a  shock result in South Africa.

After a slow start, Paraguay picked up the pace in the second half and finally got their act together. However, even though they upped their pace and the overall tempo of the game, chances were still few and far between. Gerado Martino’s team were often referred to as clinical during South American qualification and it wasn’t at all hard to see why, especially when they got the rub of the green near the very end with the penalty. Ever team needs some good fortune though in the big tournament, so perhaps Paraguay will charm their way through the rounds. Paraguay were at their most effective when breaking from defence bombing forward with pace, numbers and intent. The finishing, however, just wasn’t up to scratched.

Final Score: Paraguay 1-0 North Korea – Roque Santa Cruz (Pen)

 Manager: Kim Jong-Hun
Captain: Hong Yong-Jo
FIFA Ranking: 105
World Cup appearances: 1 – 1966
Best World Cup: Quarter-Finals – 1966 

North Korea Team Profile

North Korea were the surprise package during qualifying as they defied the odds to snatch one of the four available automatic qualification spots to book their rightful place in South Africa where they’ll take to the field for just their second World Cup. The last time North Korea were involved in such a prestigious and global football spectacle was way back in 1966, a year when England won the World Cup on English soil and the North Koreans surpassed everyone’s expectations by finishing as a losing quarter-finalists. They surely won’t record a personal best in South Africa as times have dramatically changed since their glory days of 66, but the Koreans will nevertheless make the most of this glorious opportunity, while their reward for all their hard work during qualifying was to be dropped slap bang in the middle of South Africa’s version of the ‘Group of Death’.

North Korea, if they were truly honest with each other, won’t make any real inroads considering the standard of football around Europe and South America these days, so the dream would have been to land a group which consisted of at least one of the world’s biggest footballing forces. They got that in Brazil, but as typical as their surprise inclusion in South Africa was, North Korea were then handed their second dream game as Portugal were drawn in the same group as themselves, as well as an interesting match up with the Ivory Coast from South Africa. The Koreans will get a taster of just about everything in South Africa, making their qualification well worthwhile despite the likelihood of some big defeats in South Africa when they finally land. 

Nickname: Chollima

North Korea Key Players

The majority of the North Korea team are based in Asia, plying their trade in either the North Korean league of the Japanese J-League. With this, means the squad aren’t instantly recognisable, while none actually ring any bells if truth be told. But that will be seen as a double edged sword in that while the assumption maybe that North Korea’s players aren’t perhaps good enough to play in Europe, the fact we don’t know an awful lot about them makes them a little bit dangerous due to their unknown quantity feel about them.

Hong Yong-Jo looks to be the leading player in the North Korea camp, while he’s one of just a handful in the squad which has European experience through playing in Russia with FC Rostov. Yong-Jo is one of the more matured players in the Korea squad at 27 years-old, while his experience in Russia, aided by his 11 goals in 38 international appearances has led to Yong-Jo receiving the captains armband for his country.  

Jong Tong-Se or ‘The People’s Rooney’ as the natives like to call him, is one of the more exciting players in the North Korea team, with his ambition and forward aggression complimented by some natural pace. Jong is a player which can make things happen, he doesn’t sit around waiting for the ball to come to him, the Kawasaki Frontale forward isn’t afraid to come deep and collect the ball from the half-way line, while at the same time he has this fearless attitude when it comes to charging into the heart of the opponents defence. The same can be said about some of his ‘audacious’ attempts from distance, willing to have a pop at goal.

We’ve seen Jong Tong-Se in action on a few occasions and every time we’ve been impressed with small Korean. From a nation where no-one really expects them to pull up trees in South Africa, to have a player with so much talent was quite startling. Believe me when I say this, Jong Tong-Se is player to keep an eye out for in South Africa.

Strengths

Undoubtedly North Korea’s strength is their defending. The coach, Kim Jong-Hun, is clearly a wise man as throughout qualifying he kept faith with Korea’s solid set up, defending with large numbers but in an organised and well disciplined fashion They are a tough team to break down as they work hard and vigourously as a defensive unit to reduce the time and space the opponent has to enjoy on the ball when they approach Korea’s penalty area. Jong-Hun knows full well that were he to play attacking football, even against those nations back home in Asia who are superior in technical ability, his players would be on the receiving end of a mauling. The aim in South Africa will be more of the same; defend in numbers, with discipline and with army like organisation in a bid to perhaps sneak a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

Weaknesses

The lack of well know players, the fact Korea don’t seem to have a striker in their midst to score the necessary amount of goals in South Africa needed to spring a surprise, there is plenty to be concerned about with North Korea. The fact only a select few ply their trade over in Europe is a massive concern as give half the chance, every one of the North Korean players would jump at the opportunity to play in Europe, which basically means they aren’t good enough.

North Korea Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Asia
Group: 2
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 4-4-0
Goals Scored: 12
Goals Conceded: 4 

World Cup Potential: 1/5

While few will even give North Korea a mention in their games in South Africa, the coach and the players will arrive in high spirits feeling confident that they can spring a few surprise. The aim will be not to fold or roll over in a Group most teams would be scared senseless about playing in.

The Koreans are a team full of home-grown players, with the majority of the team based in Asia. While this remains an apparent flaw in that very few have had the chance nor are good enough to play in some of Europe’s biggest leagues, it should lead to a closer group of players, a more united front from the Koreans as they set out to raise a few eyebrows in South Africa. We, though, if we’re brutally honest, can only see the Koreans leaving Africa with nothing to show for their hard work during qualifying, but then again just to be in their second World Cup in South Africa is an achievement in itself, while an expected ’0′ points from their tough looking group will only slightly taint what will be a memorable few weeks for North Korea and it’s fans back home nonetheless

North Korea World Cup Betting Odds

North Korea to win the World Cup:         2500 – Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on North Korea were 200/1 

Official North Korea World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Myong-Guk Ri (Pyongyang City)
Myong-Gil Kim (Amrokgang)
 

Defenders

Jong-Hyok Cha (Amrokgang)
Yun-Nam Ji (April 25)
Song Chol Nam (April 25)
Nam-Chol Pak (Amrokgang)
Chol-Jin Pak (Amrokgang)
Jun-Il Ri (Sobaeksu)
Kwang-Chon Ri
Kwang-Hyok Ri (April 25)
 

Midfielders

Yong-Hak An (Omiya Ardija)
Kyong-Il Kim (Rimyongsu)
Yong-Jun Kim (Pyongyang City)
In-Guk Mun (April 25)
Nam-Chol Pak (Amrokgang)
Chol-Myong Ri (Pyongyang City)
Sung Hyok Pak (Sobaeksu)
 

Strikers

Chol-Hyok An (Rimyongsu)
Kum-Chol Choe (April 25)
Tae Se Jong (= Chong Tese) (Kawasaki Frontale)
Yong-Jo Hong (FK Rostow)
Kum-Il Kim (April 25)
Myong-Won Kim (Pyongyang)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 North Korea Fixtures – Group G

World Cup Group G - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of North Korea

Asia

Qualified Teams

Group 1: Australia, Japan

Group 2: South Korea, North Korea

Qualification Play-off

05/09/2009 – Bahrain V Saudi Arabia
09/09/2009 – Saudi Arabia V Bahrain

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will compete in a two-legged play-off, with the winner advancing to face New Zealand for a place at South Africa 2010.

Saudi Arabia will be the bookies favourite in this two-legged play-off for several reasons. They have an obvious World Cup pedigree after qualifying for the previous four World Cup’s. They also notched up more points in what was a tougher group. Bahrain also failed to beat Japan and Australia in Group 1 who were the only decent sides in that group. However, Saudi Arabia’s results were hardly impressive either with draws being their more common final result.

This should be a close affair over two legs but if one side can manage to secure a good result away from home, they would become to obvious favourite to progress further and play New Zealand in a World Cup qualification showdown.

Group 1

Australia cruised to qualification in group 1 and remained unbeaten throughout. They finished with 20 points from a maximum of 24 which is an outstanding feat and one that should leave the players full of confidence as they prepare to do battle at South Africa next year. Qatar and Japan were the only sides to have taken points away from the Australians with both games being away from Australian soil. The ‘Aussies’ won all four of their home fixtures and sealed qualification with several games to spare.

Japan nailed down a second place finish and can now look ahead to next year in Africa. They finished five points ahead of third place Bahrain, who will now have to play a play-off match with Saudi Arabia for the one remaining qualification spot. Bahrain had to hold off the competition of Qatar and Uzbekistan for that play-off spot but did so with ease in the end, finishing four points above Qatar who ended the campaign in fourth, one place shy of the play-off’s.

Group 2

The second group was a lot closer to call with no side really dominating the group. Despite a faltering end to the campaign, South Korea did finish the group as top dog with 16 points. They were four points clear of rivals North Korea who scraped into the final automatic qualification spot via goal difference.

Every side took points off one another at one stage or another and this showed in the final point tallies. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran narrowly missed out on that final automatic spot with Saudi Arabia losing out on virtue of goal difference and Iran were a point short of both. However, the big difference is that Saudi Arabia did just enough to book a play-off showdown with Bahrain. Iran will now go home empty handed although at least they faired a lot better then the United Arab Emirates who finished the group in fifth with just the solitary point to their name.