North Korea's FIFA World Cup History
Early Appearances
North Korea made its FIFA World Cup debut in 1966, becoming only the second Asian team to qualify for the tournament after Indonesia in 1938. In their historic campaign, North Korea stunned the world by defeating Italy 1-0 in the group stage, famously known as the "Miracle of Bern." However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Portugal.
Qualification for 2010 World Cup
After a long absence from the World Cup, North Korea qualified for the tournament again in 2010. They achieved this by winning the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and then successfully navigating the Asian qualifiers. Led by manager Kim Jong-hun, North Korea became the first team from the Asian Football Confederation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup without having previously appeared in the tournament.
2010 World Cup Performance
In the 2010 World Cup, North Korea was drawn into Group G alongside Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast. Despite high expectations after their 1966 performance, North Korea struggled in the tournament, losing all three matches and conceding 12 goals without scoring any. They were eliminated in the group stage, finishing last in the group.
Notable Players
- Jong Tae-se: Forward who scored the only goal for North Korea in the 2010 World Cup.
- Hong Yong-jo: Midfielder known for his technical skills and free-kick ability.
- An Yong-hak: Goalkeeper who impressed with his saves during the 1966 World Cup.
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