CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Drawn into the toughest group, DPR Korea coach Kim Jong Hun said Sunday that his team can still reach the second round despite their opener loss at the World Cup.
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 Members of North Korea's national soccer team train at the Green Point stadium in Cape Town, June 20, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] |
DPR Korea who lost 2-1 to Brazil last Tuesday, will face Portugal here on Monday, and Cote d'Ivoire on Friday in Group F. ' "What we think would be a good result or an achievement that would pass the group phase. That is our main goal," said Kim, "Then afterward, in the round of 16, if we can go further then that would be wonderful."
DPR Korea made its debut on the sport's biggest stage in 1966 in England where they toppled Italy 1-0 to become the first team from Asia to advance to the final eight.
Portugal, also making its World Cup debut in 1966, ended DPR Korea's fairy tale run with a 5-3 victory after having trailed 3-0.
While many considered that the main task for DPR Korea in the coming match is to stop Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Coach Kim had other thoughts.
"We're not going to focus on one person in particular," Kim said. "I'm not going to have a man-on-man defense against one player, and I'm not going to talk about the overall strategy or tactics. We have to look at how the game flows."
