Kim Un Hwa counts her blessings

Oh really? I'm not the first?" There was almost a hint of disappointment in Kim Un Hwa's voice when FIFA.com told her that, despite having just put on a phenomenal performance against Argentina, she must be content with sharing a page in the record books of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The reaction of the rookie Korea DPR striker was understandable, given that she had just banged in five goals during her side's 9-0 demolition of the South American side.

Nevertheless, the Asian dangerwoman is in illustrious company. She shares the tournament record for the most goals scored in a single match with legendary Canadian striker Christine Sinclair, whose five strikes against England in 2002 are in addition to the 143 she has bagged at international level.

But while Kim Un Hwa must be delighted to be mentioned in the same sentence as one of the greats of the women's game, she is clearly not satisfied with sharing the spotlight and, since the start of Japan 2012, has set about making her own mark on the tournament. The North Korean stepped off the bench to open her account against Norway and has now justified a starting berth in the next game with a five-star performance against La Albiceleste. "I never imagined I could achieve something like that," she savours, with a smile as wide as the winning margin displayed on the scoreboard. "All I was thinking about was making the right choice whenever I had the ball at my feet."

Learning curve
The youngster has done well to find her feet so quickly after making her debut on the world stage. For unlike many of her team-mates who already have several international tournaments under their belts, Kim Un Hwa is a newcomer to the Chollima camp. "This is my first World Cup so at first I was a little worried," admits the Wolmido forward. "I wondered whether the top level was going to be too hard for me. But when I got on the pitch, I said to myself, 'It's not so difficult after all, I can do it'. I was no longer stressed at all."
This liberated feeling no doubt comes from rubbing shoulders with experienced team-mates such as Jon Myong Hwa, Yun Hyon Hi and Kim Un Hyang, who have already shone in previous FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups, the Women's Olympic Football Tournament and even the FIFA Women's World Cup™. "What I've learned from them isn't really about technique, but rather about how to behave when testing yourself at the highest level," said the North Korean, who will celebrate her 20th birthday on 30 September. "The concentration before matches, the work rate during the match, and knowing how to stay focused and to ask questions of yourself after matches, even when you win. All of these lessons are very useful."
Eager to please
While Kim Un Hwa will undoubtedly take a lot away from the tournament in terms of experience and accolades, she is already giving plenty back too. By putting smiles on faces, for one thing. "Knowing that in some way I'm helping to bring happiness to people, it's a great reward," she says when asked to describe what it feels like to be a serial goal-getter. "Every time I scored, I thought about the people in our country who are watching the game on television and who must be proud of us. We could hear our fans singing and shouting throughout the game. We're happy to please them. There were only a few hundred of them in the stands, but they represent the millions of others who are rooting for us back home."
Provided Kim can stay on the goal trail, she is sure to continue making people happy. And what of her team-mates Kim Su Gyong and Yun Hyon Hi, who despite having found the net four and three times respectively, find themselves overshadowed by their compatriot in the scorers' standings? "There's no competition between us!" Kim interrupts, bursting into laughter. "I'm happy whenever I score, but if it's better to pass the ball when I'm in front of goal, then I won't hesitate for a second. My objective is victory, not goals." Even so, a few more strikes from Kim Un Hwa are sure to take her and the Chollima a long way.

fifa.com

FIFA U-20 Women`s World Cup - North Korea 4-2 Norway

FIFA U-20 Women`S World Cup in Japan


Today : Norway vs North Korea

North Korea won 4-2.

Thai Port FC sign North Korean striker

Thai Port FC have officially signed North Korean striker Ri Myung Jun


Thai Port FC website

France beats NKorea 5-0 in women's Olympic soccer

By FRANK GRIFFITHS (Associated Press)

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- France scored four goals in the last 20 minutes and beat North Korea 5-0 Saturday in the group stage of the women's Olympic soccer tournament.

Defender Laura Georges gave France the lead with a powerful header just before halftime, and her teammates did the rest near the end.
Substitute Elodie Thomis added the second in the 70th minute, then set up Marie-Laure Delie for the third a minute later. Wendie Renard netted a header from a corner in the 81st, and Camille Catala completed the rout with another header in the 87th after Thomis sent in a cross from the right.
"At the beginning of the match, the players were nervous," France coach Bruno Bini said. "In the second half, we played high quality football."
The win puts France in second place in Group G ahead of North Korea on goal difference with three points.
"We have the three points and we're second in the group," Bini said. "Now, we're just focusing on getting to the quarterfinals."
North Korea faces the United States in the last group match, and France will take on Colombia.
North Korea coach Sin Ui Gun said that the late kickoff in his team's previous match because of a flag dispute may have affected his team's preparations. London Olympic organizers displayed a South Korean flag alongside North Korea's players on stadium screens at Hampden Park for the match against Colombia.
"Because of the delay, we had to finish the game late ... so maybe it affected our players' ability today," Sin said. "We still have one more match to go. Today's match is a good lesson and will motivate our team."

2012 Olympics - North Korea 2-0 Colombia FT

North Korea women`s NT  won 2-0 at HT against Colombia in first match in 2012 Olympics in London

Kim Song Hui scored in 34. min and 86 min

Flag blunder at Hampden

LOCOG apologises for showing South Korean flag

 national flag blunder at Hampden Park caused North Korea to stage a protest at Wednesday's Olympic women's football match against Colombia.

The South Korean flag was shown by mistake on the big screen inside the stadium as the players warmed up on the pitch prior to the match.
As a consequence, North Korea refused to play the match at the scheduled 7.45pm start time.
Their players walked off the pitch but were persuaded to return when the teams were announced again with each player's face displayed next to the North Korean flag.
A statement from Games organisers LOCOG said: "Today ahead of the women's football match at Hampden Park, the South Korean flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the North Korean flag.

Mistake

"Clearly this is a mistake, we will apologise to the team and the national Olympic committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again."
The mistake occurred when a video package was being shown ahead of kick-off, with the North Koreans noticing their faces were being pictured alongside the South Korean flag.
The match eventually began at 8.50pm after the team were placated.

skysports

Wales fall to North Korea

The Wales women's side lost 4-2 to a strong Korea DPR side at Stebonheath Park on Thursday evening.
The match was a unique opportunity to play a team from the other side of the world and as such was a great experience for Jarmo Matikainen's squad as they prepare for the new season. That will include a crucial Euro Women's game wit5h Scotland on Saturday 15th September at Parc y
Scarlets in Llanelli.
Wales started brightly and took the lead on 12 minutes when a goalmouth mix-up in the Korea area gave captain Jess Fishlock the chance to fire-hoe from close range. It stunned the visitors who had made a steady start to the first ten minutes of the game.
The lead was held for just ten minutes however, as Korea launched a high ball into the Wales area and Wales keeper Nicola Davies failed to take the ball and Choe Young Sim got there first to head home at the far post.
Four minutes later it was 2-1 when Kim Un Hyang scored from another high ball into the box from a free kick. Davies was second best once more and the visitors had the advantage.
Both sides looked to play some attractive football on a good, flat surface, but it was clear that the Koreans were getting stronger as the game went-on and justifying their position as one of the World's strongest women's teams.
Half time came with the score at 2-1 and an opportunity for Jarmo Matikainen to give the Wales team some words of encouragement.
Korea made three substitutions at half time and continued where they left off in the first half by having much of the possession. On 55 minutes they made it 3-1 after a defensive mix-up allowed substitute Ri Ye Gyong to poke the ball home.
To their credit, the Welsh heads did not drop and striker Hannah Keryakoplis was introduced after 62 minutes to replace Hayley Ladd.
Wales found a way back into the game on 70 minutes when captain Jess Fishlock took a free kick from some 30 yards out that went straight over everyone's head and into the goal. It gave the side fresh hope and two more subs entered the game for Wales with Amie Lea (79m) and Jodie Botteril (85m for her first cap). Korea also kept the subs coming thick and fast with another four changes.
The game was settled in the 86th minute when substitute Kim Myong Gum scored at the far post to make it 4-2.
At the whistle, Wales could be pleased with a very committed performance against a class-outfit. A great work-out at a very early stage of the new season. There are two more friendlies in Belgium to come in August before the game with Scotland.

Wales FA