North Korea have not played in a World Cup since 1966, but are a fascinating addition to a tournament that not only boasts most of the top nations, but also unknown quantities such as New Zealand and Honduras.
It was Portugal who ended North Korea's quest for glory in 1966 as Eusebio bagged four in a 5-3 quarter-final victory. There will be extra motivation, then, when they face Portugal in this daunting group.
Ivory Coast and Brazil provide the other opposition, and given the quality of these two sides, it is expected that the Asians will adopt a defensive gameplan, and rely on the counterattack. Motivation will hardly be lacking, and neither will fitness, but creativity and individual expression are unlikely to be in full flow.
Strikers Hong Yong-Jo and Jong Tae-Se both have impressive goal-to-game ratios, however, and are two of a small number of players allowed to ply their trade outside the country.
Much mystery surrounds Kim Jong-Hun’s team. Only recently did North Korea play their first international match in Europe since 1966. That was against Republic of Congo in France and they hardly impressed in a 0-0 draw. Hun claims this secretive nation plans to "surprise the world" in South Africa, but it remains to be seen just how much access will be granted to the squad at the finals.
Quick Facts:
- Best World Cup Result: Quarter-Finals (1966)
- Best Asian Cup Result: Fourth-Place (1980)
- Coach: Kim Jong-Hun
- Captain: Hong Yon-Jo
23-man North Korea World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kim Myong-gil, Kim Myong-won (both Amrokgang), Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City)
Defenders: 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)
Midfielders: 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)
Forwards: Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Ri Kwang Hyok (Koynggongop)
Group Matches:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 v BrazilMonday, June 21, 2010 v Portugal
Friday, June 25, 2010, v Ivory Coast
Prediction: First-Round
Much like New Zealand in Group F, North Korea don't appear to have the ammunition to go toe to toe with the group's big guns. This is a nightmarish group, which could hardly have been worse.Damage limitation should be the main priority for Hun's team, and expect them to return home without a point and with a hefty figure in the goals against column.
