Korea DPR Team Page
Squad
Coach: Kim Kwang Min
Roster
Goalkeepers: Phi Un Hui, Yun Hyon Hi, Jon Myong Hui
Defenders: Om Jong Ran, Yun Song Mi, Song Jong Sun, Jang Yong Ok, Sonu Kyong Sun, Kong Hye Ok, Hong Myong Gum
Midfielders: Kim Kyong Hwa, Kim Ok Sim, Ho Sun Hui, Ri Un Suk, Ri Un Gyong
Forwards: Kil Son Hui, Ri Kum Suk, Ho Un Byol, Kim Yong Ae, Jong Pok Sim
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 5th (first in AFC)
Strengths: North Korea’s ranking is no mistake – this is a fit, strong and technically-gifted team. That stamina enables them to play a complete 90 minutes of fast-paced, counter-attacking soccer. Both American coach Greg Ryan and Australian manager Tom Sermanni have expressed concerns about the North Koreans. Said Sermanni: "Korea DPR is probably as close to being as unbeatable as any women's team that I have seen." Many of North Korea’s players suit up domestically for army teams. Additionally, youth is on the North Korean side with several players from the FIFA U-20 championship squad dotting the World Cup roster. The U-20 team, led by all-stars Kil Son Hui, Hong Myong Gum and Kim Kyong Hwa, walked over the competition in Moscow last year, eventually pounding China 5-0 in the final. North Korea has something to prove as well after dubiously being placed in the "Group of Death" in April’s World Cup draw. Korea DPR officials felt it was done so they wouldn’t play hosts China until the semifinals.
Weaknesses: Lack of play outside the Asian Football Confederation could be a concern for Coach Kim as his squad hasn’t been exposed to European and North-South American styles of play. However, the U-20 squad didn’t let that same inexperience hurt them in victories over Germany, Mexico and Brazil (to name a few) en route to winning that tournament. Korea DPR is disciplined in their organization on the field, but their passion for victory can get out of hand as it did at the semifinals of the 2006 AFC Asian Cup when they lost 1-0 to rivals, China. Goalkeeper Hye Tong Han and two other players were suspended and fined for a violent altercation with the game’s referee (she was allegedly kicked by Hye and other officials had to dodge airborne water bottles) and were forced to miss the third-place game against Japan. Korea DPR won that match to qualify for the World Cup.
Player to watch: Ri Kum Suk enters her third World Cup for Korea DPR. The 28-year-old captain is a dangerous striker with a fantastic touch on the ball and tremendous work ethic. Goals come in bunches for the catalyst of the North Korean attack. She led all scorers in 2003 qualifying with 15 and again in helping Korea DPR to gold at the 2006 Asian Games. Ri is deadly in the air and is the main target for her teammates on free kicks and corners.
Prognosis: The battle will be on for placings in the Group of Death and North Korea, which has failed to advance past the group stages in two tries, wants that quarter-final berth. If North Korea can overcome its previous World Cup disappointments and rely on the teamwork and work ethic that got them a berth in China, a spot in the second round is theirs.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: North Korea (Korea DPR) earned its spot for China 2007 by placing third in the final competition of the 2006 AFC Women’s Championship.
Qualification record: 6 matches played, 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
Goals for: 16 Goals against: 3
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Ri Un Suk (4)
Qualifying results:
**Japan, China, North Korea (Korea DPR) and South Korea qualified for the 2006 AFC Women’s Championship by virtue of occupying the four top spots in the 2003 AFC Women’s Championship.
Round robin (Group B) – in Adelaide, Australia
July 18, 2006 – Thailand 0, Korea DPR (North) 9
July 20, 2006 – Korea DPR (North) 3, Myanmar 0
July 22, 2006 – Australia 0, Korea DPR (North) 0
July 24, 2006 – Korea DPR (North) 1, Korea Republic (South) 0
Final rounds (knock-out format)
Semifinal
July 27, 2006 – China PR 1, Korea DPR (North) 0
Third-place playoff
July 30, 2006 – Japan 2, Korea DPR (North) 3
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 11 – U.S. vs. North Korea in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 17:00
Sept. 14 – North Korea vs. Nigeria in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 18 – North Korea vs. Sweden in Tianjin (Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium) at 20:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
North Korea has failed to advance past the group stage in two previous tries. They started on a positive note at the 2003 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Nigeria, followed by 1-0 and 3-0 losses to Sweden and the United States, respectively. The same four teams will contest group play in 2007.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 2
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: never
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – Did not qualify
1999 – First round
2003 – First round
