SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—North Korea’s football squad has returned home from South Africa after competing in its first World Cup since 1966.
International TV news agency APTN showed footage of the players arriving Tuesday at the airport in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
North Korea lost 2-1 to Brazil, 7-0 to Portugal and 3-0 to Ivory Coast in its group matches.
Striker Jong Tae Se says “it was good to be at the World Cup” and “we as players and the people think that we should keep being enthusiastic and develop our football.”
North Korea advanced to the quarterfinals at the 1966 tournament in England.
Unlike their departure for the World Cup, there were no crowds of people at the airport waiting to see the players return.
29 June 2010
Deconstructing Chollima : A North Korean view
The Chollima may have failed to win a match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa but the fact that they qualified for the finals in the first place was a major achievement.
This is the view of Mun Si-song, a former high-ranking official at the DPR Korea Football Association who is now Head of the DPR Korea desk at AFC.
Mun said people tend to forget DPR Korea’s marvellous effort of qualifying for the finals after a long absence of 44 years.
DPR Korea lost 2-1 to Brazil, 7-0 to Portugal and 3-0 to Ivory Coast in Group G of the World Cup this year. They scored just once and conceded 12.
In an interview with www.the-afc.com, Mun hailed the never-say-die spirit displayed by Kim Jong-hun and his charges.
Hard-working team
“The end result might look unpleasant. But please bear in mind that the team has qualified to the World Cup after 44 years,” said Mun.
“If you see how hard the team worked over the past few years, I don’t think you will ever criticise them.
Mun Si-song
“I am not saying that they deserved accolades, but considering the difficulties the DPR Korea team faced on their road to South Africa compared to others, they, at least, should not be condemned.
“I am sorry for the team, they truly deserve recognition for what they've done and have achieved in the past years.”
Mun also expressed sadness at DPR Korea being tagged "the worst team from Asia" because of their performances compared with Korea Republic, Japan and Australia.
“I am not a tactician; don't ask me about statistics or whatsoever. But what I can see with my own eyes is that DPR Korea were dedicated in every match they played.
Group of Death
“They were in the Group of Death. But all DPR Korea players fought until the end and did their very best.
“It is a dream for every footballer in my country to play in the World Cup. It is the highest honour you can ever get in your football career.
“The only thing I need to admit is the team was lacking experience and international exposure.”
In response to a suggestion that North Korean players should play abroad, he said: “I don't think it will make much difference whether the players are playing domestically or abroad because football is about the team, not individuals.
“Individual brilliance might produce a goal but doesn’t necessarily give you a win.”
Top players
Still, Mun was quick to praise midfielder An Yong-hak for his performances. The 32-year-old, like star striker Jong Tae-se, was born in Japan and plays for Omija Ardija in the J-League. Jong, meanwhile, is in the ranks of Kawasaki Frontale.
“An was the best player for the DPR Korea in South Africa with his high work rate and determined character,” said Mun.
“He is an unsung hero who will never let the national team down. Jong also did reasonably well considering he is playing as the only out and out attacker in the squad.
“Apart from the Portugal game, the team played very well in general."
Mun, who was with the DPR Korea FA from 1998 to 2002, also reserved praise for head coach Kim Jong-hun.
“He has been fantastic. He is a very dedicated and brave person. In my opinion, he is the man to take the team forward."
More : afc.com website
This is the view of Mun Si-song, a former high-ranking official at the DPR Korea Football Association who is now Head of the DPR Korea desk at AFC.
Mun said people tend to forget DPR Korea’s marvellous effort of qualifying for the finals after a long absence of 44 years.
DPR Korea lost 2-1 to Brazil, 7-0 to Portugal and 3-0 to Ivory Coast in Group G of the World Cup this year. They scored just once and conceded 12.
In an interview with www.the-afc.com, Mun hailed the never-say-die spirit displayed by Kim Jong-hun and his charges.
Hard-working team
“The end result might look unpleasant. But please bear in mind that the team has qualified to the World Cup after 44 years,” said Mun.
“If you see how hard the team worked over the past few years, I don’t think you will ever criticise them.
Mun Si-song
“I am not saying that they deserved accolades, but considering the difficulties the DPR Korea team faced on their road to South Africa compared to others, they, at least, should not be condemned.
“I am sorry for the team, they truly deserve recognition for what they've done and have achieved in the past years.”
Mun also expressed sadness at DPR Korea being tagged "the worst team from Asia" because of their performances compared with Korea Republic, Japan and Australia.
“I am not a tactician; don't ask me about statistics or whatsoever. But what I can see with my own eyes is that DPR Korea were dedicated in every match they played.
Group of Death
“They were in the Group of Death. But all DPR Korea players fought until the end and did their very best.
“It is a dream for every footballer in my country to play in the World Cup. It is the highest honour you can ever get in your football career.
“The only thing I need to admit is the team was lacking experience and international exposure.”
In response to a suggestion that North Korean players should play abroad, he said: “I don't think it will make much difference whether the players are playing domestically or abroad because football is about the team, not individuals.
“Individual brilliance might produce a goal but doesn’t necessarily give you a win.”
Top players
Still, Mun was quick to praise midfielder An Yong-hak for his performances. The 32-year-old, like star striker Jong Tae-se, was born in Japan and plays for Omija Ardija in the J-League. Jong, meanwhile, is in the ranks of Kawasaki Frontale.
“An was the best player for the DPR Korea in South Africa with his high work rate and determined character,” said Mun.
“He is an unsung hero who will never let the national team down. Jong also did reasonably well considering he is playing as the only out and out attacker in the squad.
“Apart from the Portugal game, the team played very well in general."
Mun, who was with the DPR Korea FA from 1998 to 2002, also reserved praise for head coach Kim Jong-hun.
“He has been fantastic. He is a very dedicated and brave person. In my opinion, he is the man to take the team forward."
More : afc.com website
28 June 2010
North Korea player to join Swiss 2nd tier club Wil
GENEVA (AP) — North Korea defender Cha Jong Hyok is to join Swiss second division club FC Wil as a first step to a career in Europe's bigger leagues, according to his agent.
The 24-year-old defender played in all three of his country's World Cup group matches in South Africa and took several long shots on goal in games against Portugal and Brazil.
His agent Karl Messerli told The Associated Press that Cha, who will be leaving North Korean state-owned club Amrokgang, will become the third North Korean to transfer to Switzerland in the past year.
"We have the work permit and he will arrive in two weeks," Messerli said.
"The aim is to prepare this player for the European leagues. Of course he won't play all his life in Wil. We want to test him, let him play, and prepare him for higher tasks."
Messerli said there will be no upfront transfer fee, but Amrokgang will be paid on results if Cha proves himself or is sold to a bigger team.
Wil already has 21-year-old North Korean midfielder Kim Kuk Jin, who joined the club last year.
A third player
Messerli said an English and a German club had expressed an interest in two more players from North Korea's national squad, which exited the World Cup after a group stage that included a 7-0 drubbing by Portugal.
USA Today
The 24-year-old defender played in all three of his country's World Cup group matches in South Africa and took several long shots on goal in games against Portugal and Brazil.
His agent Karl Messerli told The Associated Press that Cha, who will be leaving North Korean state-owned club Amrokgang, will become the third North Korean to transfer to Switzerland in the past year.
"We have the work permit and he will arrive in two weeks," Messerli said.
"The aim is to prepare this player for the European leagues. Of course he won't play all his life in Wil. We want to test him, let him play, and prepare him for higher tasks."
Messerli said there will be no upfront transfer fee, but Amrokgang will be paid on results if Cha proves himself or is sold to a bigger team.
Wil already has 21-year-old North Korean midfielder Kim Kuk Jin, who joined the club last year.
A third player
Messerli said an English and a German club had expressed an interest in two more players from North Korea's national squad, which exited the World Cup after a group stage that included a 7-0 drubbing by Portugal.
USA Today
26 June 2010
North Korea - CIV 0-3
elspruit: The Curtain came down on DPR Korea’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign on Friday with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Cote d’Ivoire, consigning the Chollima to a hat-trick of Group G loses.
The North Koreans’ chances of advancing from the group stage ended with a 7-0 drubbing by Portugal leaving Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side chasing down a seemingly impossible nine goals to nudge the Portuguese out of the last 16.
However, any margin over victory wouldn't have made a difference in the end as Portugal drew 0-0 with Brazil to finish a point ahead of the 'Elephants'.
Cote d’Ivoire joined hosts South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria as first-round casualties with only Ghana carrying on the African cause in the knockout round.
Barcelona playmaker Yaya Toure struck first in the 14th minute, drilling home from outside the area off a cut-back from Kader Keita.
The Elephants went two-up on 20 minutes after Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba rattled the crossbar with a fierce volley and left midfielder Romaric with an easy header into an unguarded net.
Drogba’s Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, a second-half substitute, found the net in the 82nd minute, tucking away a high ball from defender Arthur Boka.
Cote d’Ivoire were looking for a mammoth win over the North Koreans and relying on group leaders Brazil to beat the Portuguese in Durban for them to have an outside prospect of reaching the knockout round.
Drogba, in imperious form, headed the ball into the net in the 12th minute but was ruled offside as Ivory Coast bombarded the North Korean goal.
The Ivorians' play fell away in the second half as the Kim Jong-hun’s side tightened their five-man defence, screened by three midfielders.
Eriksson made a double substitution in the 64th minute bringing on Kalou for Keita and Aruna Dindane for Gervinho as he juggled his attack to prise more goals and Kalou dutifully answered the Swedish coach's call.
North Korea's Japanese-based striker Jong Tae-se didn't look out of place with the skilful Ivorians and he tested their defence with speed and close control several times.
Jong had a great chance in the 81st minute and only a diving block from Manchester City defender Kolo Toure - brother of Yaya - stopped him from scoring.
The match was played in good spirit with Spanish referee Alberto Undiano not once brandishing the yellow card.
afc.com
The North Koreans’ chances of advancing from the group stage ended with a 7-0 drubbing by Portugal leaving Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side chasing down a seemingly impossible nine goals to nudge the Portuguese out of the last 16.
However, any margin over victory wouldn't have made a difference in the end as Portugal drew 0-0 with Brazil to finish a point ahead of the 'Elephants'.
Cote d’Ivoire joined hosts South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria as first-round casualties with only Ghana carrying on the African cause in the knockout round.
Barcelona playmaker Yaya Toure struck first in the 14th minute, drilling home from outside the area off a cut-back from Kader Keita.
The Elephants went two-up on 20 minutes after Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba rattled the crossbar with a fierce volley and left midfielder Romaric with an easy header into an unguarded net.
Drogba’s Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, a second-half substitute, found the net in the 82nd minute, tucking away a high ball from defender Arthur Boka.
Cote d’Ivoire were looking for a mammoth win over the North Koreans and relying on group leaders Brazil to beat the Portuguese in Durban for them to have an outside prospect of reaching the knockout round.
Drogba, in imperious form, headed the ball into the net in the 12th minute but was ruled offside as Ivory Coast bombarded the North Korean goal.
The Ivorians' play fell away in the second half as the Kim Jong-hun’s side tightened their five-man defence, screened by three midfielders.
Eriksson made a double substitution in the 64th minute bringing on Kalou for Keita and Aruna Dindane for Gervinho as he juggled his attack to prise more goals and Kalou dutifully answered the Swedish coach's call.
North Korea's Japanese-based striker Jong Tae-se didn't look out of place with the skilful Ivorians and he tested their defence with speed and close control several times.
Jong had a great chance in the 81st minute and only a diving block from Manchester City defender Kolo Toure - brother of Yaya - stopped him from scoring.
The match was played in good spirit with Spanish referee Alberto Undiano not once brandishing the yellow card.
afc.com
25 June 2010
21 June 2010
19 June 2010
North Korea deny players are missing
North Korea deny players are missing and the absence of four stars from the official FIFA team sheet was a "clerical error"
goal.com
goal.com
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