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World-North Korea face struggle to make their point
SEOUL, May 21 (Reuters) - Full of endeavour and defensive discipline but lacking true top-class talent, North Korea will be lucky to earn a point from the group stage of the World Cup.
The North Koreans are appearing in their first World Cup finals since a remarkable run to the quarter-finals in 1966 and they could not have been handed a more difficult draw than Group G where they play Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.
Little was also expected of them 44 years ago before the mystery men from the North beat Italy 1-0 to make the last eight, then led Portugal 3-0 before a Eusebio-inspired fightback earned the Europeans a 5-3 win.
However, this time the North Koreans may prove a handful off the pitch as evidenced by their qualifying campaign.
After they refused to play South Korea's national anthem or raise its flag for qualifiers in Pyongyang, FIFA had to move the matches to Shanghai to avoid a full-scale diplomatic row.
Following a 1-0 defeat to the South in a qualifier in Seoul last April, North Korea lodged a protest with FIFA saying that their players' food had been tampered with and that the referee had been biased.
"The match thus turned into a theatre of plot-breeding and swindling," the North said in a statement.
With the eyes of the world upon them, North Korea will be under pressure to abide by FIFA's Fair Play directive on and off the field.
Increased political tension between North and South could be a backdrop to the finals after Seoul accused its neighbour of torpedoing one of its warships and vowed to take "firm" measures. (Writing by Peter Rutherford in Singapore, Editing by Robert Woodward;
World-Factbox on North Korea
May 21 (Reuters) - Factbox on North Korea who are competing in Group G at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:
Colours: All red
Nickname: Chollima (Mythical Korean winged horse)
Previous World Cup appearances: one
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finals, 1966
Coach: Kim Jong-hun
Talking points:
North Korea's return to the World Cup finals has rekindled memories of their dream run to the quarter-finals in 1966 in England. However, it is their behaviour off the field that is likely to draw most attention. In a controversial qualifying campaign, the North refused to play the South's anthem or raise the South's flag in Pyongyang, forcing their matches to be moved to Shanghai. They also protested to FIFA that their players were poisoned before a match in Seoul. Tension between the two countries rose this week when South Korea accused the North of torpedoing one of its warships.
Player to watch:
Jong Tae-se. Dubbed the "People's Wayne Rooney" by Asian media, Jong's bustling, all-action style keeps defenders on their toes for 90 minutes. The Japan-based striker is the North's main scoring threat and needs no invitation to have a crack at goal.
World-Factbox on North Korea
May 21 (Reuters) - Factbox on North Korea who are competing in Group G at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:
Colours: All red
Nickname: Chollima (Mythical Korean winged horse)
Previous World Cup appearances: one
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finals, 1966
Coach: Kim Jong-hun
Talking points:
North Korea's return to the World Cup finals has rekindled memories of their dream run to the quarter-finals in 1966 in England. However, it is their behaviour off the field that is likely to draw most attention. In a controversial qualifying campaign, the North refused to play the South's anthem or raise the South's flag in Pyongyang, forcing their matches to be moved to Shanghai. They also protested to FIFA that their players were poisoned before a match in Seoul. Tension between the two countries rose this week when South Korea accused the North of torpedoing one of its warships.
Player to watch:
Jong Tae-se. Dubbed the "People's Wayne Rooney" by Asian media, Jong's bustling, all-action style keeps defenders on their toes for 90 minutes. The Japan-based striker is the North's main scoring threat and needs no invitation to have a crack at goal.
World-Penpix of North Korea's squad
SEOUL, June 4 (Reuters) - Penpix of North Korea's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa:
1-Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City). Goalkeeper. Born Sept. 9 1986. Caps 29.Goals 0.
North Korea's "Gatekeeper of the Iron Wall" is reported to belt out the national anthem when the chips are down to inspire his team mates. Originally joined Pyongyang as a striker but when coaches suggested he try goalkeeping as a way to help the country's national team he threw himself into the position.
20-Kim Myong-won (Amrokgang). Goalkeeper/Forward. Born July 15 1983. Caps 9. Goals 0.
Like many of his international team mates, plays for Amrokgang who won the North Korean league title in 2007. Has earned nine caps as a forward but designated a goalkeeper in the North's 23-man squad. FIFA rules maintain each squad must have three eligible keepers.
18-Kim Myong-gil (Amrokgang). Goalkeeper. Born Oct. 16 1984. Caps 11.
He was the number one keeper until Ri graduated to the side. Was part of North Korea's failed attempt to reach the 2006 World Cup finals.
2-Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Sept. 25 1985. Defender. Caps 32. Goals 0.
Made a brief appearance during the qualifiers four years ago, when North Korea failed to reach the finals, and has now established himself as a regular.
3-Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu). Defender. Born Aug. 24 1987. Caps 27. Goals 0.
Usually deployed as a sweeper and controls the defence. Has been a fixture in the side throughout World Cup qualifying.
5-Ri Kwang-chon (April 25). Defender. Born Sept. 4 1985. Caps 41. Goals 1.
Usually one of the first names coach Kim Jong-hun's puts on his team sheet. Was on the side that failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals.
16-Nam Song-chol (April 25). Defender. Born May 7 1982. Caps 42. Goals 1.
A fixture on the left side of the team's five-man defence. Shared the job of captain with Hong Yong-jo during the qualifiers.
21-Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop). Defender. Born Aug. 17 1987. Caps 15. Goals 0.
Came up through North Korea's youth system and was one of the squad at the 2007 under-20 World Cup.
13-Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Sept. 5 1985. Caps 35. Goals 0.
Experienced central defender who was part of the failed attempt to qualify for the World Cup four years ago.
14-Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Oct. 3 1988. Caps 12. Goals 0.
The younger of two players with the same name, he played four of North Korea's World Cup qualifiers but has yet to win a regular starting spot.
17-An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija). Midfielder. Born Aug. 25 1978. Caps 24. Goals 2.
Veteran presence in the North's midfield, An plays the anchor role to good effect but can also support the forwards in a more advanced role. Spent three years in South Korea with Busan and Suwon before joining J-League side Omiya this season.
15-Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang City). Midfielder. Born July 19 1983. Caps 53. Goals 7.
Right-footed defensive midfielder who played two seasons in China with second division club Yanbian in an ethnic Korean area close to the North Korea border. Moved to top-flight Chengdu Blades, who are owned by England's Sheffield United, in 2008 but left the club after one season.
8-Ji Yun-nam (April 25). Midfielder. Born Nov. 20 1976. Caps 22. Goals 2.
Left wing-back who returned to the team only in the later stages of the qualifiers, after being part of the 2006 squad.
11-Mun In-guk (April 25). Midfielder. Born Sept. 29 1978. Caps 42. Goals 6.
Dynamic player whose hard work is vital to North Korea's midfield.
19-Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City). Midfielder. Born Feb. 18 1988. Caps 13. Goals 1.
Played only one of North Korea's qualifiers for this World Cup. Was a member of the team that finished runners-up in the 2004 Asian under-17 championship.
23-Pak Sung-hyok (Sobaeksu). Born. 30.5.90. Midfielder. Caps 6. Goals 0.
No Information available
4-Pak Nam-chol (April 25). Midfielder. Born July 2 1985. Caps 36. Goals 5.
The older Pak Nam-chol has been a fixture of North Korea's midfield since 2005.
22-Kim Kyong-il. (Rimyongsu). Midfielder. Born Dec. 11 1988. Caps 7. Goals 0.
Played at the under-17 world championships in 2005 and the under-20 World Cup in 2007.
10-Hong Yong-jo (Rostov). Forward. Born May 22 1982. Caps 40. Goals 11.
The North Korea captain leads from the front and his European experience with Russian club FC Rostov will be vital in South Africa. Delivered some key goals in qualifying including a penalty in the 1-1 draw against bitter rivals South Korea.
9-Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale). Forward. Born March 2 1984. Caps 21. Goals 14.
Dubbed the 'People's Wayne Rooney' by Asian media, Jong's bustling, all-action style keeps defenders on their toes for 90 minutes. The Japan-based striker is his team's main goal threat and needs no invitation to have a crack at goal.
6-Kim Kum-il (April 25). Forward. Born Oct. 10 1987. Caps 12. Goals 1.
Bagged four goals in North Korea's AFC Youth Championship-winning side in 2006 and was named player of the tournament. Captained the side at the FIFA under-20 World Cup in 2007 in Canada, scoring against Czech Republic.
7-An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu). Forward. Born June 27 1985. Caps 15. Goals 7.
Four of his goals for the national side came in one match, against Guam in an East Asian championship game. Not a regular starter for the team.
12-Choe Kum-chol (Rimyongsu). Forward. Born Feb. 9 1987. Caps 16. Goals 5.
Rarely starts a game for the national side but coach Kim likes to send him on to bolster the attack if one of the regular strikers is off form.
(Compiled by Peter Rutherford)
Goalkeeper
18 Kim Myong Gil
1 Ri Myong Guk
Defender
4 Pak Nam Chol 1
16 Nam Song Chol
5 Ri Kwang Chon
2 Cha Jong Hyok
3 Ri Jun Il
14 Pak Nam Chol 2
21 Ri Kwang Hyok
13 Pak Chol Jin
8 Ji Yun Nam
9 Jong Tae Se
Midfielder
11 Mun In Guk
17 An Yong Hak
4 Pak Nam Chol 1
15 Kim Yong Jun
6 Kim Kum Il
22 Kim Kyong Il
8 Ji Yun Nam
19 Ri Chol Myong
23 Pak Sung Hyok
Forward
10 Hong Young Jo
20 Kim Myong Won
7 An Chol Hyok
12 Choe Kum Chol
9 Jong Tae Se
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