Official Korea DPR World Cup thread

[Puevlo]

Korea DPR

Confederation: AFC (Asia)

Head coach: Kim Jong-Hun

Captain: Hong Yong-Jo

FIFA ranking: 102

Korea DPR seemingly came from nowhere to storm into the Asian Zone's final round of qualifying, where they defied sizeable odds to take one of the continent's four automatic spots at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. In a sense they lived up to their long-standing reputation as Asia's surprise packages, their qualifying success marking a return to world football's top table for the first time since going all the way to the last eight in 1966.

After spending nearly 30 years in wilderness, the past decade saw the revival of the nation's footballing fortunes. With their women's football teams running riot at all levels on the international scene, the men's side came close to qualifying for Germany 2006 before successfully negotiating the road to South Africa 2010.

The road to South Africa

To reach the 2010 showpiece, Korea DPR went through a gruelling qualifying campaign spanning 20 months and a whopping 16 games. They made light work of Mongolia in the Asian Zone's first qualifying round, winning both home and away to earn a bye to the third round as one of the 11 highest-ranked first-round winners. Once there, they finished second in their group behind southern neighbours Korea Republic to qualify for the final round.

There they got off to a brilliant start by defeating UAE 2-1, before holding Korea Republic to a 1-1 draw. Despite losing to Iran 2-1 in the next game, they bounced back with a 1-0 home win against Saudi Arabia. Even a 1-0 loss to Korea Republic did not dent their chances too badly, followed as it was with a draw against Iran which kept them in second place. Needing just a point against Saudi Arabia in the closing game to qualify, they bravely held on for a goalless draw to seal their passage.

The star players

Two-thirds of the squad come from domestic clubs, though their small overseas-based contingent are vital cogs in the Korean machine. FC Rostov's Hong Yong-Jo was in lethal form up front, the 27-year-old goalgetter scoring four times in as many games. Playing alongside him is Japan-based Jong Tae-Se, who has the power and pace to breach any rearguard. Home-based midfielder Mun In-Guk is the man who makes the team tick, while keeper Ri Myong-Guk's safe hands and agility can be relied upon between the sticks.

The coach

Coach Kim Jong-Hun was only ten years old when the Chollima made history at England 1966 and now, 43 years on, he was the man who guided them back to the pinnacle of world football. Given his squad largely consists of domestic-based players lacking in international experience, the strategist favours a pragmatic and defensive approach based around discipline and teamwork.

Previous FIFA World Cups

Going into the global showpiece as debutants in England in 1966, the unfancied East Asians undid European heavyweights Italy with a single-goal victory to march into the quarter-finals. In what remains one of the all-time classic encounters in FIFA World Cup history, they flew into a three-goal lead against Portugal within 25 minutes, only for Eusebio to go on to strike no fewer than four times in a 5-3 comeback win for the Selecção das Quinas.

Records

Korea DPR reached the last eight in their last and only previous appearance at the finals of a FIFA World Cup.

What they said

"It was as a result of our hard work that we will return to the World Cup, 44 years after we reached last eight at England 1966. We are likely to meet European teams once more at South Africa 2010 and I hope we can repeat the feats of our predecessors." Korea DPR head coach Kim Jong-Hun

[Redshift]

They'll be too malnourished to play properly.

[ericcantona7]

I'd hate to be the Korean who scores the own goal that knocks them out.

[PMLF]

They will be better nourished than the players of most teams, as the "Great Leader" provides everything.

I hope they manage to get some surprising results, it will be good for the WC if that happens and it will spicy up the group too.

[Marquez]

Is it in this country where the WC matches won't be broadcasted live?

[matt1389]

I'm with PMLF with this one.

I really hope they don't become real whipping boys. Assuming the other teams in the group are close together then a Korea draw could have a massive impact.

[Eoghan_M]

Do it for dear leader

[Puevlo]

Is it in this country where the WC matches won't be broadcasted live?

I believe all matches will be editted to only show where North Korea is performing on top. Considering their opponents I think there will be about 10 seconds of footage shown.

[silva_gunner]

I heard that they will be transmitted 90 mins behind and if they lose then they are never going to be shown. Fair, equal broadcasting that.

[djvandyke]

Can't we do this for the England games?

[HD]

Why did they play UAE once and everyone else twice in their qualifying group, per the OP?

[fatski]

Really interesting article in FourFourTwo about a month or two ago about this. Not very much known about them but during games the propaganda stuff gets played on the big screen, it really is terrifying!

Still, would be great if they could score a goal!

[batch]

Choe Myong-Ho their star player according to World Soccer this month. He was Asian Young Player of the Year in 2005.

He left NK to play for FC Krylia in Russia but never settled and went back to play at home, although Wiki says his club in NK didnt register him to play in the 2009 season. Not sure what that might mean tbh.

[HopOnBaby]

Hello - I wrote a little something about North Korea

[Puevlo]

Just personally, I can see them going all the way.

[PMLF]

Even if they beat Brazil, Portugal or the Ivory Coast (will more likely lose all 3 games), it will be very hard for them to achieve much more than 3 or 4 points. I wouldn't mind if they beat Brazil though, those David vs Goliath (like Cameroon beating Argentina in 1990, Senegal beating France in 2002, South Korea beating Italy and Spain also in 2002, etc...) kind of games are interesting and surprising results are good for the WC.

[docklanders]

The Senegal beating France game was in 2002 as well Paulo .

[PMLF]

Yes, of course, France won in 1998. I don't know why I typed 2002 (probably was because of the South Korean games), anyway, I love games like these.

I don't think North Korea will be able to do something like this, but in a WC we never know. And if they do it, their Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il will be happy.

[docklanders]

Yes, of course, France won in 1998. I don't know why I typed 2002 (probably was because of the South Korean games), anyway, I love games like these.

I don't think North Korea will be able to do something like this, but in a WC we never know. And if they do it, their Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il will be happy.

So do I, the Senegal victory over France is one of my favourite matches of all time, as are Russia 3-1 Netherlands and Switzerland 2-0 Portugal from recent European tournaments .

[Redshift]

I wish I could be there, just so I could wear this T-shirt:

http://rlv.zcache.com/kim_jong_il_tshirt-p235236572219453386q6yv_400.jpg

[Watford_fc_4_lyf]

I might have a flutter on this lot, worth a couple of quid to make hundreds if the great leader has them so scared of failiure and the death penalty that they play wonderfully well.

[Ricky Riccardo]

the great leader will not televise the WC live and will most liekly show false results, for example, NK will win the WC.

[batch]

Kim Myong Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong Won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong Guk (Pyongyang City), An Chol Hyok (Rimyongsu), An Yong Hak (Omiya Ardija), Cha Jong Hyok (Amrokgang), Choe Kum Chol (April 25), Hong Yong Jo (FK Rostov), Ji Yun Nam (April 25), Jong Tae Se (Kawasaki Frontale), Kim Kum Il (April 25), Kim Kyong Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong Jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In Guk (April 25), Nam Song Chol (April 25), Pak Chol Jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam Chol (April 25), Pak Nam Chol (Amrokgang), Pak Sung Hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Ri Kwang Hyok (Koynggongop).

No, i've not mashed the same 6 letters on my keyboard endlessly, that is the N.Korean squad.

[batch]

Some of those teams -

Koynggongop - Ministry of Light Industry

Amrokgang - Ministry of Peoples Security

April 25 - the date the NK Military was founded

[PMLF]

Only 3 foreign-based players in their squad.

I feel jealous of them.

[RubenJ]

I read an article that North Korea are planning to hire Chinese people to act as North Korean fans at the WC.

Their own citizens aren't allowed to leave the country, so they have 1000 tickets for Chinese people who will be paid to be the North Korean fans.

[blurps11]

Can't we do this for the England games?

And where would the editors take the 10 decent seconds per match take from ?

[lookingfrank]

I read an article that North Korea are planning to hire Chinese people to act as North Korean fans at the WC.

Their own citizens aren't allowed to leave the country, so they have 1000 tickets for Chinese people who will be paid to be the North Korean fans.

True. But most of the Chinese football fans feel ashamed to do so.

For the rage against their own national team's bad results, and for the hatred against communism and so-called "socialism" in China as well as its ally, North Korea.

[bell]

I wonder what will happen if the situation in North/South Korea deteriorates?

If the North take declares war on the South then they might well find themselves ejected from the competition. Who would replace them?

[dimmel]

I'm sure some people here would suggest that the Irish can step in for them.

However, it is much more likely that the next best team from the Asian qualification will be replacing them, which would be Bahrein. They defeated Saudi Arabia (who finished after North Korea in their group) before losing the AFC / OFC play-off to New Zealand.

This reminds me of the Danish team who were called up to replace the Yugoslavs at EURO 1992 due to the Balkan war, when the Danish went off to win the title. I'd like to see Bahrein to do the same

Another option, when this war breaks out shortly before the start of the WC, is that no replacement at all will be called up. Like Togo in the ANC this year after their bus was attacked in Angola, the FIFA might decide to reduce the number of teams in group G to three.

Better still, let's hope the North Koreans don't torpedo any more ships in the meantime!

[PMLF]

It would have to be Bahrain indeed, as Ireland is not even from the same confederation.

But I doubt there will be any war, and if there isn't there is no reason to expel N. Korea from the competition. Hopefully FIFA will be wise enough to leave politics outside the tournament.

[pouncer]

What happens with regards to fans? I guess there will be very few, if any, North Korean fans attending the games?

[Ricky Riccardo]

so sad we live in a world where people are trapped like slaves in a country ruled by a fat little tyrant and we do nothing.

[PMLF]

so sad we live in a world where people are trapped like slaves in a country ruled by a fat little tyrant and we do nothing.

As bad as their regime is, I don't think it's up to us to judge it, just like is not up to them to judge our systems of governments. I mean in the sense that we Westerners (or Democracies) shouldn't invade them or any country just because we don't like their system of government.

[pouncer]

75 minutes gone, and it's Greece 2-2 Korea DPR. Is it bad that I've short of taken a shining to this team?

[batch]

Are they as organised defensively wise as i've read ?

[Dan BHTFC]

I think after their heroics in 1966 a lot of people will be looking at their results and cheering them on, I know I will be! I love a good underdog story!

[Puevlo]

Why should North Korea be kicked out if the countries go to war? South Korea is the aggressor here.

[Razzler]

I know they're evil and stuff but wouldn't it be ace if they took a big scalp or grabbed a draw and screwed up someone elses chances

[RubenJ]

Why should North Korea be kicked out if the countries go to war? South Korea is the aggressor here.

In what way exactly? By putting their ship in the path of that Torpedo?

[PMLF]

That attack was supposedly a retaliation for a previous combat where a NK ship was sunk or something. But anyway, NK have invaded SK territory a lot of times since the Korean War, so if anyone should be deemed aggressor, is them. Still, I don't think there is any reason to kick them out of the competition, if there is an actual war, then expel both Koreas and anyone else invaded.

If there is no war, then just let the politicians solve the problem and let NK play the comp, as they deserve. If they have a dictatorship, if they violate human rights or any of such concerns is irrelevant regarding the WC.

[Ricky Riccardo]

Politics aside, a united Korea would be a strong Football Nation.

[Mushtaq]

It would have to be Bahrain indeed, as Ireland is not even from the same confederation.

But I doubt there will be any war, and if there isn't there is no reason to expel N. Korea from the competition. Hopefully FIFA will be wise enough to leave politics outside the tournament.

So say if NK needed to be replaced, and Bahrain had won their playoff vs New Zealand, would NZ or Saudi Arabia then be promoted to the World Cup?

[PMLF]

I believe it would have to be NZ since they lost to Bahrain, although NZ is from a different confederation, they were in the Inter-Confederation playoff (unlike say Ireland).

[pouncer]

Why should North Korea be kicked out if the countries go to war? South Korea is the aggressor here.

Yes, those bloody warmongering puppets

[The Pain]

Article in the Guardian about Jong Tae-se.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/30/jong-tae-se-north-korea-wayne-rooney

[Mr Adam]

Apparently this lot have only got 2 keepers so have had to identify their number 7 (a striker) as 3rd keeper

[PaulHartman71]

Jong Tae-se's goals against Greece for anyone interested - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPn5BDFK5Co

[Ricky Riccardo]

It would be great for the world cup if Kim jon ill was on the sidelines coaching them in his gray suit and shades

[pouncer]

North Korea is a fascinating place, it really is. Read this. Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place, couldn't really think of anywhere else.