'People's Wayne Rooney' vows to deliver

SEOUL: North Korea striker Jong Tae-se has promised to score a "goal a game" at the World Cup and lead his country into the knockout stages of the South Africa finals.
The Japan-based forward, dubbed the "People's Wayne Rooney" by Asian media after the England striker, predicted North Korea would shock Group G rivals Portugal and Ivory Coast and progress along with Brazil.

"I will keep my promise of scoring one goal per game," Jong, who scored both goals in his country's 2-2 draw with Greece in a recent warm-up game, told South Korea's Chosun Ilbo.


"In our group it will be Brazil and North Korea who will advance."


North Korea are making their first World Cup finals appearance since their astonishing run to the quarter-finals of the 1966 tournament won by hosts England.

They could hardly have been given a tougher assignment in South Africa with Portugal and Ivory Coast also drawn in their group.


Training at night under heavy guard and behind barbed wire in the township of Tembisa, about 30 minutes from Johannesburg, however, North Korea insisted they were relishing the challenge.

"I want to surprise the world," said midfielder An Yong-hak, after passing the three large North Korea flags in the lobby of the team hotel to board the bus for training. -- Reuters

NST

Fans stampede gates outside stadium

TEMBISA, South Africa (AP)—Thousands of fans stampeded gates outside a stadium before a World Cup warmup match between Nigeria and North Korea.

Several fans could be seen falling under the rush of people Sunday, many wearing Nigeria jerseys. The Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb seats about 10,000 fans.

The first rush came when the gates opened to allow fans into the stadium. Police soon closed the gates, but when they were reopened, a second rush occurred, with more people falling and being run over.

More ; link

Nigeria friendly today

North Korea - Nigeria in South Africa.
Match time : 16.00

Livestream links

Nigeria won 3-1 . Jong Ta Tse scored.

Media-shy North Koreans train in SAfrican township

By GERALD IMRAY, AP Sports Writer

TEMBISA, South Africa (AP)—The North Korean World Cup squad has held its fourth training session in South Africa with foreign media yet to be allowed in.

The media-shy North Koreans are making their second World Cup appearance and first since 1966. They worked out Saturday at the Makhulong Stadium in the township of Tembisa, near Johannesburg.

Access was granted to only a North Korean TV crew and FIFA’s TV unit as Kim Jong Hun’s squad prepared for an exhibition against Nigeria at Makhulong on Sunday.

The secretive communist country is required to give journalists access five days before its first match—against Brazil on June 15.

Nigeria Limit Fans For N.Korea Friendly

Nigeria’s final World Cup warm-up match on Sunday against fellow World Cup finalists North Korea will only be watched by 5,000 fans, team officials have informed MTNFootball.com.

Team spokesman Peterside Idah informed: “Besides the invited guests for the game, we will only accommodate the first 5,000 fans into the stadium.”

There is a strong Nigerian presence in South Africa and still will be further boosted as the World Cup kick-off nears.

The kick-off time for the friendly has been fixed for 4pm South African time, which is an hour ahead of that of Nigeria.

Nigeria and North Korea will clash at the Makhulong Stadium, Tembisa, on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Sunday.

MTN Football

Selection blow for Korea DPR

Korea DPR have been told by FIFA that Kim Myong-Won will only be able to play as a goalkeeper in the FIFA World Cup™ and not in his usual role as a striker.

Coach Kim-Jong Hun decided to name only two regular goalkeepers in his squad with Kim, who plays for Amrokgang, as the back-up. It was seen as an attempt to boost the nation's attacking options as they prepare to face Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

However the move has backfired spectacularly after FIFA confirmed to Press Association Sport that Kim will only be allowed to play as a goalkeeper, not as an outfield player. Unless there is an injury, no changes will be permitted to their final squad.

In a statement, world football's governing body said: "The squad lists that the teams had provided to FIFA by 1 June, 2010 are final and can no longer be changed. On the final lists must be no more than 23 players, three of whom shall be goalkeepers.

"The only exception is in the case of a serious injury of a player in the list of 23, who could be replaced up until 24 hours before the first match of the team in the competition.

"The three players listed as goalkeepers can only play as goalkeepers during the FIFA World Cup and cannot play outfield. This will be communicated to the teams in the team arrival meetings and will be enforced on match days." The statement added: "Kim Myong-Won will not be allowed to play as an outfield player if he has been put on the list as a goalkeeper."

fifa.com

Korea DPR touch down

Korea DPR arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning vowing to punch above their weight in only a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

"It is great for us to come to the World Cup in South Africa and we have a great desire for success in the tournament," coach Kim Jong-Hun said via an interpreter at Johannesburg international airport.

Clear, cool late autumn weather greeted the 2000-1 outsiders who must face five-time world champions Brazil, 2006 semi-finalists Portugal and African giants Côte d'Ivoire in the group stages.

But none of their rivals will need reminding of what happened in 1966, the last time they competed at world football's showpiece event.

More : fifa.com