North Korea Team Page
Squad
Coach: Jo Tong-Sop
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Kwang Min Ju, Pak Nam Chol, Ri Kwang Il
Defenders: Ri Yong Chol, Ri Phyong Chol, Mun Kyong Nam, Yun Myong Song, Jon Kwang Ik, Yun Yong Il, Ri Kwang Hyok
Midfielders: Ri Chol Myong, Pak Song Chol, Kim Kuk Jin, Ryom Nam Il, Kim Kyong Il
Forwards: Kim Kum Il, Ri Hung Ryong, Pak Chol Min, Jong Chol Min
Scouting Report
Strengths: North Korea is not lacking confidence after stunning the field to win last year's Asian Youth Championship. The bulk of coach Jo Tong-Sop's team has been together since the U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005, which means they have played together for several years and have gelled. Playing with heart and determination is not an issue for the North Koreans, two key qualities they displayed an abundance of at the Asian Youth Championship.
Weaknesses: A lack of experience is North Korea's biggest fault, as this is the first time the Asian country has qualified for the U-20 World Cup. North Korea also lacks a proven goal scorer up front most of the team's goals come from midfielders Kim Kum-Il, Ri Chol-Myong, and Choe Myong-Ho. The North Koreans also had the bad luck of being drawn into the tournament's toughest group with Argentina, the Czech Republic and Panama.
Player to watch: Captain Kim Kum-Il was named the MVP of the 2006 Asian Youth Championship after scoring four goals for his side and leading them to the title. A real dynamo, Kim anchors the North Korean attack with his steady and poised play in midfield.
Prognosis: Things don't look good for North Korea. The reigning Asian youth champions were selected to play in the tournament's "Group of Death" alongside five-time world champions Argentina, European powerhouse Czech Republic, and an underrated Panama team. North Korea was able to pull off a few upsets at the Asian Youth Championship, but it seems unlikely they can do the same against the likes of Argentina and the Czechs. A win against Panama in its opening game is a must for North Korea if it has any chance of finishing third and sneaking into the second round. Don't expect any miracles, though, as North Korea seems destined to finish fourth and go home early
ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: North Korea earned its trip to Canada by winning the 2006 Asian Youth Championship in India.
Qualifying record: 8 games played, 6 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws
Goals for: 16 Goals against: 4
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Kim Kum-Il (4)
Qualifying results:
First group stage in Kumamoto, Japan - (Group N)
Nov. 25, 2005 North Korea 5, Taiwan 0
Nov. 27, 2005 Japan 1, North Korea 0
Playoff for last spot at the finals
Feb. 15, 2006 Myanmar vs. North Korea in Kuala Lumpur (Myanmar withdrew)
Finals (second group stage) in Kolkata, India - (Group C)
Oct. 29, 2006 Japan 2, North Korea 0
Oct. 31, 2006 North Korea 5, Iran 0
Nov. 2, 2006 North Korea 1, Tajikistan 0
Quarter-finals
Nov. 6, 2006 Iraq 0, North Korea 2
Semifinals
Nov. 9, 2006 Jordan 0, North Korea 1
Final
Nov. 12, 2006 North Korea 1, Japan 1 (North Korea wins 5-3 in penalty kick shootout)
U-20 World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
June 30 vs. Panama in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 16:30
July 3 vs. Czech Republic in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 17:00
July 6 vs. Argentina in Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) at 17:00
U-20 WORLD CUP HISTORY
This will be the first year that North Korea competes at the U-20 World Cup. Many of the players from the squad graduated from North Koreas U-17 team that reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005.
Number of previous U-20 World Cup Appearances: 0
Hosted the U-20 World Cup: never
