DOHA: North Korea go into battle at the Asian Cup this month hoping to banish bitter memories of a humiliating World Cup and emulate the achievements of their all-conquering junior sides.
North Korea, reviled on the world political stage, open their title quest in Qatar against unfancied United Arab Emirates on Jan 11 in Group D, which also includes regional heavyweights Iran and reigning champions Iraq.
Attempting to second-guess anything related to the world’s most secretive country is no easy task.
But football is hugely popular in the communist country, whose Under-16 and Under-19 teams this year won their respective Asian titles, underlining the potential that the regime can churn out despite severe financial constraints.
There were reports the hardline North Korean leadership was furious at the senior side’s capitulation at the World Cup in South Africa, where they impressed in losing only 2-1 to Brazil in their opening game.
But the wheels then came off in spectacular fashion, as Portugal humiliated them 7-0 before they lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast, the North Koreans finishing bottom of the group and going home to an uncertain fate without a single point.
However, they will be more comfortable in Qatar, where the standard will not be as high.
Prolific striker Jong Tae-se – dubbed “Asia’s Wayne Rooney” for his combative style – is expected to again lead North Korea’s frontline. Tae-se averages a goal every other game for a defence-minded North Korea.
German Division Two side VfL Bochum snapped up the Japan-born 26-year-old after he impressed in South Africa, his fast start to life in European football boosting his reputation as one of Asia’s most fearsome predators.
Fellow forward Hong Yong-jo, the North Korean captain who plays in Russia for FC Rostov, is another to look out for.
Despite the decent striking options, North Korea will rely on a tried-and-tested defensive formation that served them well in making their first World Cup since 1966.
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