SANTIAGO, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Chile has called of next week’s double bill of friendlies against Costa Rica and North Korea after the massive earthquake which hit the country in the early hours of Saturday.
“Football cannot remain indifferent to the catastrophe which has hit our country and certainly not to the pain and tragedy of thousands of Chileans,” soccer federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls said on his organisation’s website (www.anfp.cl).
The players said in a statement: “At this moment, it is more important to look after the country’s urgent necessities. There will be time for football.”
In a highly unusual move, Chile, who have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, were due to host Costa Rica and North Korea on the same evening at the National Stadium.
Both of Wednesday’s matches were listed as full internationals by governing body FIFA with coach Marcelo Bielsa saying he wanted to observe as many places as possible.
Reuters
28 February 2010
Chile match cancelled or moved ?
North Korea`s away match against Chile on 3rd March is possibly cancelled or moved to Uruguay after the earthquake in Chile.
27 February 2010
North Korea win AFC Challenge Cup !
North Korea won AFC Challenge Cup final after a dramatic match against Turkmenistan.
North Korea got a red card in 33. minute and Turkmenistan scored in 34. minute, but North Korea equalized in 76. minute.
No goals in extra time and North Korea won 5-4 on PK`s.
Congratulations with AFC Challenge Cup win and Asian Cup spot !
Match report from afc.com
North Korea got a red card in 33. minute and Turkmenistan scored in 34. minute, but North Korea equalized in 76. minute.
No goals in extra time and North Korea won 5-4 on PK`s.
Congratulations with AFC Challenge Cup win and Asian Cup spot !
Match report from afc.com
Last chance for DPR Korea`s World Cup hopefuls to impress
COLOMBO: Free-kick specialist Pak Song-chol and vibrant mid-fielder Ryang Yong-gi might have enhanced their chances of appearing in this summer’s FIFA World Cup if DPR Korea coach Jo Tong-sop’s conviction that “five or six” players in the squad playing at the AFC Challenge Cup in Colombo could be bound for South Africa.
“There are five or six players we are looking at for the World Cup and from what I have seen of them at this tournament, they have a very good chance of making our World Cup squad,” said Jo who is also an assistant coach with the DPR Korea senior national side.
Jo refused to reveal the names of the World Cup probables, but he has consistently praised the efforts of Pak and Ryang, who have been two of the more outstanding players in the team which has breezed into the final of the AFC Challenge Cup against Turkmenistan on February 27.
Pak, 22, has produced superlative performances regularly. His playmaking abilities coupled with his precision dead ball capability has made him one of the front runners for the MVP title at this eight-team tournament.
Pak’s stunning 30-yard free kick against Myanmar – a powerful drive after the ball had been rolled into his path and quite unlike the curling effort that stymied the Indian wall – was applauded by Jo.
Ryang, meanwhile, has been one of the most industrious players on the park and has been at the centre of DPR Korea’s creative build-ups which has left opponents foxed. His two goals against India was outstanding and like Pak, he has been one of the hubs of the team.
Other candidates who could fall into Jo’s reckoning could include defenders Pak Yong-jin and Ri Kwang-hyok and forward Choe Chol-man.
“All these players (on my radar) have done well. They all have an opportunity to go for the World Cup,” Jo said.
DPR Korea has two squads in training right now for the World Cup. One is the team in Asia and being represented at the AFC Challenge Cup. The other is in Europe. The World Cup squad is expected to be named in April.
As far as the AFC Challenge Cup is concerned DPR Korea has been in a class of its own. They have demolished all teams – Kyrgyzstan 4-0, India 3-0, and Myanmar 5-0. The only team to give them a semblance of a fight was Turkmenistan who in the first group game held on to a 1-1 draw.
“That was our first match in Colombo. We had just arrived after a long flight and we were tired and not used to the hot and humid conditions here. But now we have acclimatised. It will be a different result in the final,” promised Jo.
the-afc.com
“There are five or six players we are looking at for the World Cup and from what I have seen of them at this tournament, they have a very good chance of making our World Cup squad,” said Jo who is also an assistant coach with the DPR Korea senior national side.
Jo refused to reveal the names of the World Cup probables, but he has consistently praised the efforts of Pak and Ryang, who have been two of the more outstanding players in the team which has breezed into the final of the AFC Challenge Cup against Turkmenistan on February 27.
Pak, 22, has produced superlative performances regularly. His playmaking abilities coupled with his precision dead ball capability has made him one of the front runners for the MVP title at this eight-team tournament.
Pak’s stunning 30-yard free kick against Myanmar – a powerful drive after the ball had been rolled into his path and quite unlike the curling effort that stymied the Indian wall – was applauded by Jo.
Ryang, meanwhile, has been one of the most industrious players on the park and has been at the centre of DPR Korea’s creative build-ups which has left opponents foxed. His two goals against India was outstanding and like Pak, he has been one of the hubs of the team.
Other candidates who could fall into Jo’s reckoning could include defenders Pak Yong-jin and Ri Kwang-hyok and forward Choe Chol-man.
“All these players (on my radar) have done well. They all have an opportunity to go for the World Cup,” Jo said.
DPR Korea has two squads in training right now for the World Cup. One is the team in Asia and being represented at the AFC Challenge Cup. The other is in Europe. The World Cup squad is expected to be named in April.
As far as the AFC Challenge Cup is concerned DPR Korea has been in a class of its own. They have demolished all teams – Kyrgyzstan 4-0, India 3-0, and Myanmar 5-0. The only team to give them a semblance of a fight was Turkmenistan who in the first group game held on to a 1-1 draw.
“That was our first match in Colombo. We had just arrived after a long flight and we were tired and not used to the hot and humid conditions here. But now we have acclimatised. It will be a different result in the final,” promised Jo.
the-afc.com
24 February 2010
North Korea ready for AFC Challenge Cup final
North Korea beat Myanmar 5-0 in semifinals of AFC Challenge Cup in Sri Lanka.
They meet Turkmenistan in the final. Winner get a spot in Asian Cup 2011
Match report
They meet Turkmenistan in the final. Winner get a spot in Asian Cup 2011
Match report
23 February 2010
North Korea's Hitman Jong Tae-Se Gunning For Goals And Last 16 Spot In South Africa
North Korea striker Jong Tae-se is hoping to score the goals in South Africa that will take his team into the second round of the 2010 World Cup and has called on his team-mates to have faith.
The 1966 World Cup quarter-finalists have been drawn in a tough group with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast and few fans give them much hope of progressing to the last 16.
Jong, who plays for top Japan club Kawasaki Frontale, is one of the most feared strikers in East Asia.
Nicknamed ‘The People’s Rooney’, the 25 year-old wants to show the world what he can do and earn a move to Europe.
“Our target is to make it through the group stage though I think that it is a difficult group,” said Jong to the South Korean media.
“If we don’t believe that we can win then we won’t win. If we believe that we can do it, then we can.”
“A striker should score every game. There are no easy opponents but if I can score against them then I can get a reputation as an international striker.
Jong kicks off the World Cup with a match against Brazil and he can’t wait.
goal.com
The 1966 World Cup quarter-finalists have been drawn in a tough group with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast and few fans give them much hope of progressing to the last 16.
Jong, who plays for top Japan club Kawasaki Frontale, is one of the most feared strikers in East Asia.
Nicknamed ‘The People’s Rooney’, the 25 year-old wants to show the world what he can do and earn a move to Europe.
“Our target is to make it through the group stage though I think that it is a difficult group,” said Jong to the South Korean media.
“If we don’t believe that we can win then we won’t win. If we believe that we can do it, then we can.”
“A striker should score every game. There are no easy opponents but if I can score against them then I can get a reputation as an international striker.
Jong kicks off the World Cup with a match against Brazil and he can’t wait.
goal.com
21 February 2010
North Korea in AFC Challenge Cup semifinals
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