North Korea World Cup Squad Preview

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 10 June 2010 22:38

World Cup Squad Previews

North Korea is a nation of secrecy, and the outside world knows little about the going's on in their insular state. The same applies to the nations football team, who will compete in their first World Cup finals since 1966. Could that be a good omen for England?

In qualifying for South Africa, North Korea certinaly caused a stir. Few expected them to challenge, after they decided to enter the World Cup for the first time since 1998, but they did more then challenge as coach Kim Jong-Hun saw his side only lose twice.


The key to their success was a superb defence that was only breached 5 times in the 14 games, and although they were hardly prolific going forward, striker Yong Jo Hong found the back of the net four times, including a penalty earned a draw with arch rivals South Korea.


Jo Hang is the only member of the squad playing in Europe with Russian side FC Rostov, and it would appear he will hold the key to any success this summer. He will be probably be partnered by Jong Tae-Se, who players for Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale. The 26 year old has 15 goals in 22 caps for his country, and could well be a player to look out for this summer.


Midfielder Ahn Young-Hak is the only other player that plays his club football outside of North Korea, which emphasis the unknown quantity that is North Korea. It is very difficult to assess a side which has played few friendlies, and even if the ones that they have, rarely picked a consistent side.


But while we don't know much about them, given that they are in the so called 'Group of Death' along with Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast, very little is expected from Jong-Huns side this summer.


Many would see it a surprise for North Korea to even pick a point in South Africa, let alone qualify from Group G, however given that they only finished four points behind South Korea in qualifying, maybe we should give them a little more respect. But whatever North Korea achieve in South Africa, it will certinaly be interesting to see them compete with the world's best once again.


Goalkeepers: Kim Myong Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong Won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong Guk (Pyongyang City)

Defenders: Cha Jong Hyok (Amrokgang), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Nam Song Chol (April 25), Pak Nam Chol (Amrokgang), Ri Kwang Hyok (Kyonggongop), Pak Chol Jin (Amrokgang)

Midfielders: Ji Yun Nam (April 25), Mun In Guk (April 25), Pak Sung Hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Pak Nam Chol (April 25), An Yong Hak (Omiya Ardija), Kim Kyong Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong Jun (Pyongyang City)

Strikers: Hong Yong Jo (FC Rostov), An Chol Hyok (Rimyongsu), Jong Tae Se (Kawasaki Frontale), Choe Kum Chol (April 25), Kim Kum Il (April 25)

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