North Korea

Asian Cup 2011 Teams: North Korea

Road to Qatar

DPRK didn't bother with regular qualification but instead booked their place by winning the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup in Sri Lanka last February beating Turkmenistan in the final on penalties.

Other teams in the tournament included India, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh.

Fixtures

Group D

North Korea v UAE; 11 January 2011, Qatar Sports Club, Doha

North Korea v Iran; 15 January 2011, Qatar Sports Club, Doha

North Korea v Iraq; 19 January 2011, Al-Rayyan, Doha

Analysis


North Korea Copyright © Soccerphile	North Korea Copyright © Soccerphile

A fourth place finish in 1980 is the best that the 1966 World Cup quarter-finalists have managed at the Asian Cup but then the team doesn't always participate.

North Korea are much better-known around the world heading into this tournament than they were going into the last one. Seventeen of the 23 players that went to South Africa will be in Qatar to try and get out of a tough-looking group that includes three-time winners,Iran, defending champions Iraq and UAE.

The one major change is the fact that Ryang Yong Gi of Vegalta Sendai in Japan has been called up. The midfield, who started for the team at the Sri Lankan triumph, was surprisingly left out by then-coach Kim Jong Hun last June.

Elsewhere, it is much the same and despite the fact that Iran, Iraq and UAE don't sound quite as dangerous as Brazil, Portugal or Ivory Coast, don't expect the Chollima to be any more attacking than they were for most of the time in South Africa.

There have been reports in the Seoul media of team disharmony during the World Cup specifically at half-time during the game against Portugal when star striker Jong Tae Se reportedly exchanged words with playmaker Hong Yong Jo. The Koreans were a goal down at the break but proceeded to lose 7-0.

If that is the case then it remains to be seen if there is any residual ill-feeling as team spirit and willingness to sacrifice yourself for the team is incredibly important to North Korea. One suspects that they will all pull together when necessary.

Key player: Jong Tae Se-Jong

Jong Tae Se-Jong gets all the headlines which may not be entirely fair but then he is the only one of the roster, apart from midfielder An Yong Hak, who is willing to talk with the foreign media. He works hard however and never stops running, the system the team plays demands such a role. Jong failed to score at the World Cup but he does have an eye for goal as he has already shown for Bochum in the second tier of the Bundesliga.

One to watch: Ryang Yong Gi

The midfielder missed South Africa but is itching to make up for lost time in Qatar. He can contribute goals from midfield - hugely welcome given the way North Korea play - and was the star of the AFC Challenge Cup win last February.

Coach: Jo Tong Sop

Jo Tong Sop has taken the reins from Kim Jong Hun and the former Under-23 coach has the necessary experience. It was Jo that led the team to the 2010 tournament triumph.

Record

Fourth place in 1980 and the nation's only other appearance came in 1992 when they failed to progress past the first round.

Soccerphile says

North Korea should be able to do enough to squeeze out of the group but probably haven't got what it takes to win the title.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Ri Myong-Guk (Pyongyang City), Kim Myong-Gil (Amrokgang), Ri Kwang-Il (Rimyongsu)
Defenders: Cha Jong-Hyok (Wil), Pak Chol-Jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-Chol (Amrokgang), Ri Jun-Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-Chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-Hyok (Kyonggongop), Jon Kwang-Ik (Amrokgang), Ji Yun-Nam (April 25)
Midfielders: Ryang Yong-Gi, (Vegalta/Japan), Ahn Young-Hak (Omiya Ardija/Japan), Kim Yong-Jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In-Guk (April 25), Pak Nam-Chol (April 25), Pak Sung-Hyok (Sobaeksu), Kim Kuk-Jin (Wil)
Forwards: Choe Kum-Chol (Rimyongsu), An Chol-Hyok (Rimyongsu), Hong Yong-Jo (FC Rostov/Russia), Jong Tae-Se (Bochum), Pak Chol-Min (Rimyongsu)

The winner of the Asian Cup takes part in the Confederations Cup.

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