11 May 2010

J-Leaguers to power Korea DPR

-League striker Jong Tae-Se, nicknamed "Asia's Wayne Rooney", will lead a contingent of three Japan-born ethnic Koreans to boost Korea DPR's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ bid.

The two others, also J-League players, Omiya Ardija midfielder Ahn Yong-Hak and Vegalta Sendai midfielder Ryang Yong-Gi, affiliated to Korea DPR's national FA said Tuesday.

Jong of Kawasaki Frontale and Ahn helped the nation qualify for their second world finals - the first in 44 years since they upset Italy with a single-goal victory to reach the quarter-finals in England.

Korea DPR coach Kim Jong-Hun has set his initial target at a quarter-final spot in South Africa although his country is locked in a tough group with five-time champions Brazil, Portugal and Côte d'Ivoire. "We're brimming with confidence. We're much stronger than before," Kim told the Tokyo-based ethnic Korean daily Choson Sinbo before his team, minus the J-Leaguers, left Pyongyang on Saturday for pre-finals training in Europe. "The first goal for us is to make it to the quarter-finals. We will put on strong fights against any football powers," he added.

More : FIFA website

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