BANGKOK (23 March 2012) – Former champions SCG Muang Thong United have signed DPR Korea defender Ri Kwang-Chon in a bid to inject more confidence in the backline. Muang Thong are currently placed fourth in the new season of the Thai Premier League 2012 which kicked off just last week.
“I have been to Thailand three times, to play football and also to go on vacation, and the reason I have signed for Muang Thong is because they are a successful team,” said the 26-year-old World Cupper.
“I have plenty of fighting spirit and if I get the opportunity to make the starting line-up I will play with all my heart and try and produce my best. Muang Thong have a good chance of winning the TPL and they can also become Asian champions in the future.”
Added Ronnarit Suewaja, Muang Thong United director: “this player is highly experienced, he is the captain of North Korea and he is very professional.
“Many teams in China wanted to sign him but he wanted to play in Thailand. He has started training already and will be available for the match with Thai Port this Sunday at the SCG stadium.”
aseanfootball
19 March 2012
North Korea qualify for 2015 Asian Cup
North Korea qualified for 2015 Asian Cup by beating Turkmenistan 2-1 in the final of 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.
18 March 2012
Young Koreans gunning for glory
Kathmandu: DPR Korea coach Yun Jong-su will pin his 2012 AFC Challenge Cup title hopes on a youthful side that could form the foundations of the Chollima's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad should they defeat Turkmenistan in Monday's final.
Although he responded that his side would only be revealed at the Dashrath Stadium when a thrilling tournament reaches its conclusion, it is unlikely that the man who led DPR Korea to glory at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship will deviate too much from the team the easily defeated Palestine 2-0 in Friday's semi-final.
That starting 11 featured no less than eight players aged 25 or under, including a dynamic front line of Jong Il-gwan and Pak Kwang-ryong, both of who are just 19 years old.
Pak, who took part in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup as a precocious 17-year-old, scored both goals in the victory over Palestine in his first match of the tournament having arrived late from Switzerland where he plays for FC Basel.
"We want to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup and we have brought a lot of young players to this squad to give them an opportunity for Australia," a relaxed Yun at the pre-final press conference.
While the North Koreans have a young team in Kathmandu, much has been made of their qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa giving them the edge over the other AFC Challenge Cup participants in terms of top-level international exposure and experience,
Not the case says Yun, who was at the helm of the DPR Korea national team for the unsuccessful bid to reach the 2006 World Cup.
"We have only a few players that took part in the 2010 World Cup so I don't think the fact that we took part gives us any type of psychologically advantage.
"Turkmenistan is a good side and we have analysed their games and have prepared our tactics for the final accordingly.
We have prepared our team with only victory in this match in mind but as for our strategy you will have to watch tomorrow."
source : afc.com
Although he responded that his side would only be revealed at the Dashrath Stadium when a thrilling tournament reaches its conclusion, it is unlikely that the man who led DPR Korea to glory at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship will deviate too much from the team the easily defeated Palestine 2-0 in Friday's semi-final.
That starting 11 featured no less than eight players aged 25 or under, including a dynamic front line of Jong Il-gwan and Pak Kwang-ryong, both of who are just 19 years old.
Pak, who took part in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup as a precocious 17-year-old, scored both goals in the victory over Palestine in his first match of the tournament having arrived late from Switzerland where he plays for FC Basel.
"We want to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup and we have brought a lot of young players to this squad to give them an opportunity for Australia," a relaxed Yun at the pre-final press conference.
While the North Koreans have a young team in Kathmandu, much has been made of their qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa giving them the edge over the other AFC Challenge Cup participants in terms of top-level international exposure and experience,
Not the case says Yun, who was at the helm of the DPR Korea national team for the unsuccessful bid to reach the 2006 World Cup.
"We have only a few players that took part in the 2010 World Cup so I don't think the fact that we took part gives us any type of psychologically advantage.
"Turkmenistan is a good side and we have analysed their games and have prepared our tactics for the final accordingly.
We have prepared our team with only victory in this match in mind but as for our strategy you will have to watch tomorrow."
source : afc.com
16 March 2012
AFC Challenge Cup : North Korea in final
North Korea beat Palestine 2-0 in semifinal in AFC Challenge Cup in Npeal.
Live commentary Goalnepal
North Korea face Turkmenistan in final, Palestine face Philippines in third place match
Live commentary Goalnepal
North Korea face Turkmenistan in final, Palestine face Philippines in third place match
15 March 2012
Mahmoud : No fear of defending champions
Kathmandu: A meeting with defending champions DPR Korea holds no fear for confident Palestine coach Jamal Mahmoud as the first-time semi-finalists look to end the East Asians' perfect record on Friday.
DPR Korea are the overwhelming favourites for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup title and they have advanced through the tournament with ruthless efficiency, scoring eight times and conceding none to comfortably book their place in the final four.
But these statistics mean little for Mahmoud (pictured), who has set his sights on nothing less than a victory for the history-making Palestinians.
"We must show great respect to DPR Korea as they have played at the last World Cup," said the Jordanian, who will be without suspended midfielder Husam Wadi.
"We know how they play and we know it will be a tough match but we are here to win this championship.
"We have watched their games and we have our strategy and we are confident that we will win."
DPR Korea head coach Yun Jong-su has also been doing his homework and in keeping with the ruthless efficiency that has seen the Chollima easily defeat the Philippines (2-0), Tajikistan (2-0) and India (4-0), he succinctly summed up his thoughts on Friday's semi-final at the pre-match press conference.
"We have seen the matches of Palestine and have analysed their tactics and will implement our strategy accordingly."
afc.com
DPR Korea are the overwhelming favourites for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup title and they have advanced through the tournament with ruthless efficiency, scoring eight times and conceding none to comfortably book their place in the final four.
But these statistics mean little for Mahmoud (pictured), who has set his sights on nothing less than a victory for the history-making Palestinians.
"We must show great respect to DPR Korea as they have played at the last World Cup," said the Jordanian, who will be without suspended midfielder Husam Wadi.
"We know how they play and we know it will be a tough match but we are here to win this championship.
"We have watched their games and we have our strategy and we are confident that we will win."
DPR Korea head coach Yun Jong-su has also been doing his homework and in keeping with the ruthless efficiency that has seen the Chollima easily defeat the Philippines (2-0), Tajikistan (2-0) and India (4-0), he succinctly summed up his thoughts on Friday's semi-final at the pre-match press conference.
"We have seen the matches of Palestine and have analysed their tactics and will implement our strategy accordingly."
afc.com
11 March 2012
AFC Challenge Cup - DPR Korea 2-0 Tajikistan
Kathmandu: DPR Korea confirmed their place in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semi-finals by defeating Tajikistan 2-0 on Sunday with a performance that justified the defending champions' status as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
A goal in each half from Pak Nam-chol and Jang Kuk-chol gave Yun Jong Su's side their second 2-0 victory of the campaign following their opening win over the Philippines.
Tajikistan overcame a sluggish first-half to defeat India 2-0 in their opening match and gain a modicum of payback for their defeat in the 2008 final in their opening match and again the Tajiks were also slow out of the blocks at the start of an entertaining first-half.
Cheered on by a small, but impressively noisy, band of supporters the North Koreans took a sixth minute lead when Pak Nam-chol was given too much time and space by the Tajikistan defence, allowing the midfielder to fire low past keeper Alisher Tuychiev.
DPR Korea dominated the opening exchanges and saw Pak Song-chol's powerful volley blocked on its way to the goal three minutes later before goal-scorer Pak flashed an effort wide after a neat flick from Jang Myong-il on the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
A minute later it was the Tajiks turn to threaten when a Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev strike hit the underside of the crossbar before the ball was eventually hacked away following a goalmouth scramble.
With 30 minutes gone Alexey Negmatov's foul on Jon Kwang-ik gave the Koreans a free-kick on the left which was curled invitingly to the back post where Pak Song-chol's header drew a point-blank save from Tuychiev.
DPR Korea could have gone into the interval with a two-goal cushion but Pak Song-chol's was off target with an acrobatic effort after connecting with Pak Nam-chol's miscued attempt to chip the keeper three minutes before the break.
Eight minutes after the restart an unmarked Jong Il-gwan should have extended DPR Korea's lead but misplaced his downward header before the forward's drive from a tight angle was blocked by Tuychiev a minute later.
Substitute Jang Kuk-chol had the ball in the net in the 67th minute but Kuwait referee Yousef Al Marzouq ruled out the effort for what appeared to be a foul on the Tajik keeper.
After displaying some nimble footwork Jong Il-gwan had another effort at goal but his low effort in the 73rd minute flashed wide of the right upright before the North Korean got the second their performance deserved when Jang Kuk-chol overcame a poor first touch to create space and beat Tuychiev from inside the penalty are with four minutes left on the clock.
afc.com
A goal in each half from Pak Nam-chol and Jang Kuk-chol gave Yun Jong Su's side their second 2-0 victory of the campaign following their opening win over the Philippines.
Tajikistan overcame a sluggish first-half to defeat India 2-0 in their opening match and gain a modicum of payback for their defeat in the 2008 final in their opening match and again the Tajiks were also slow out of the blocks at the start of an entertaining first-half.
Cheered on by a small, but impressively noisy, band of supporters the North Koreans took a sixth minute lead when Pak Nam-chol was given too much time and space by the Tajikistan defence, allowing the midfielder to fire low past keeper Alisher Tuychiev.
DPR Korea dominated the opening exchanges and saw Pak Song-chol's powerful volley blocked on its way to the goal three minutes later before goal-scorer Pak flashed an effort wide after a neat flick from Jang Myong-il on the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
A minute later it was the Tajiks turn to threaten when a Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev strike hit the underside of the crossbar before the ball was eventually hacked away following a goalmouth scramble.
With 30 minutes gone Alexey Negmatov's foul on Jon Kwang-ik gave the Koreans a free-kick on the left which was curled invitingly to the back post where Pak Song-chol's header drew a point-blank save from Tuychiev.
DPR Korea could have gone into the interval with a two-goal cushion but Pak Song-chol's was off target with an acrobatic effort after connecting with Pak Nam-chol's miscued attempt to chip the keeper three minutes before the break.
Eight minutes after the restart an unmarked Jong Il-gwan should have extended DPR Korea's lead but misplaced his downward header before the forward's drive from a tight angle was blocked by Tuychiev a minute later.
Substitute Jang Kuk-chol had the ball in the net in the 67th minute but Kuwait referee Yousef Al Marzouq ruled out the effort for what appeared to be a foul on the Tajik keeper.
After displaying some nimble footwork Jong Il-gwan had another effort at goal but his low effort in the 73rd minute flashed wide of the right upright before the North Korean got the second their performance deserved when Jang Kuk-chol overcame a poor first touch to create space and beat Tuychiev from inside the penalty are with four minutes left on the clock.
afc.com
09 March 2012
DPR Korea 2-0 Philippines
Kathmandu: Defending Champions DPR Korea made a solid start to their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of the Philippines in Friday's Group B opener at the Halchowk Stadium.
DPR Korea dominated the first-half but were denied a 16th minute lead when Azkal's keeper Neil Etheridge saved a retaken Pak Song-chol penalty.
The midfielder had thought he had netted his ninth AFC Challenge Cup goal to equal the tournament record set by Palestine's Fahed Attal but Indian referee Pratap Singh ruled out the goal citing encroachment inside the box.
Etheridge, who only arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, was in inspired form denying the 2012 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on ne fewer than five occasions as the Philippines went into the break on level terms with the AFC Challenge Cup favourites.
The North Koreans finally broke through the resilient Philippines defence courtesy of Pak Nam-chol's 58th minute header before Etheridge - an understudy to Australia international Mark Schwarzer at English Premier League club Fulham - failed to deal with a high cross from the right, allowing substitute Jang Kuk-chol to double the defending champions' lead 11 minutes later.
DPR Korea sought to add to their tally and laid siege on the Philippines goal but a combination of some staunch defending and fine keeping from Etheridge kept the scoreline respectable.
source : the-afc.com
Match summary : link
DPR Korea dominated the first-half but were denied a 16th minute lead when Azkal's keeper Neil Etheridge saved a retaken Pak Song-chol penalty.
The midfielder had thought he had netted his ninth AFC Challenge Cup goal to equal the tournament record set by Palestine's Fahed Attal but Indian referee Pratap Singh ruled out the goal citing encroachment inside the box.
Etheridge, who only arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, was in inspired form denying the 2012 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on ne fewer than five occasions as the Philippines went into the break on level terms with the AFC Challenge Cup favourites.
The North Koreans finally broke through the resilient Philippines defence courtesy of Pak Nam-chol's 58th minute header before Etheridge - an understudy to Australia international Mark Schwarzer at English Premier League club Fulham - failed to deal with a high cross from the right, allowing substitute Jang Kuk-chol to double the defending champions' lead 11 minutes later.
DPR Korea sought to add to their tally and laid siege on the Philippines goal but a combination of some staunch defending and fine keeping from Etheridge kept the scoreline respectable.
source : the-afc.com
Match summary : link
08 March 2012
AFC Challenge Cup update
The defending champions, meanwhile, have been gearing up nicely the defence of their crown and having experienced direct entry into the 2011 AFC Asian Cup courtesy of their penalty shootout win over Turkmenistan in the final of the last AFC Challenge Cup, the experienced East Asians are determined to book their ticket to Australia 2015 via a similar passage.
"We have prepared well for this tournament and it is very important for us to get a berth in the next Asian Cup," said head coach Yun Jong-su, whose squad includes six players who were in the DPR Korea team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
"We had a training camp in Vietnam which went very well and we had a tough friendly with the Kuwait national team.
"We have a good team with confident players but we are in a tough group. Every team is trying to win the trophy so it's going to be a very hard tournament."
afc.com
First match against Philippines on Friday.
"We have prepared well for this tournament and it is very important for us to get a berth in the next Asian Cup," said head coach Yun Jong-su, whose squad includes six players who were in the DPR Korea team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
"We had a training camp in Vietnam which went very well and we had a tough friendly with the Kuwait national team.
"We have a good team with confident players but we are in a tough group. Every team is trying to win the trophy so it's going to be a very hard tournament."
afc.com
First match against Philippines on Friday.
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