|
AFC – DPR Korea Team Manager Pak Jong-hun
hinted that his side may temper their customary brand of attacking football
in favour of steeling up the defence when they take on Group B leaders Iran
in their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.
“We have lost both of our games because of weaknesses in our defence so our
aim will be to intensify our defensive power,” said Pak, whose team will be
boosted in the backline with the return of defensive stalwart and team
skipper Ri Myong-sam.
While only five players that started DPR Korea’s opening Group B fixture
against Asian champions Japan started the game against Bahrain, Yun
Jong-su’s side drew plaudits in both matches for their rapid
counter-attacking, a style that first came to light in North Korean football
back in the 1960’s.
Labled ‘Chollima football’, inspired by DPR Korea’s Chollima movement of
accelerating socialism, named after the mythical Korean winged horse, the
style makes up for their comparative lack of physical prowess, concentrating
on improving their speed and pace.
The style captivated the world at the 1966 World Cup finals as DPR Korea
beat the mighty Italians to reach the last eight of a tournament they
entered as 1000-1 outsiders.
This rapid style has been one of the hallmarks of their football ever since
but with the Koreans already without a point after two games and in danger
of seeing their World Cup dream dashed so early on the campaign, more
cautious tactics may be the order of the day.
“We have lost two games but our team hasn’t lost its spirit,” insisted Pak.
“We will make one or two changes in defence and maybe also with the
forwards.”
One forward who was definitely ruled out was Hong Yong-jo, who also missed
the 2-1 defeat by Bahrain through injury, however, confusion reigns over
whether or not Iran’s frontline will feature the talismanic Ali Daei, the
world’s leading international goal scorer.
Daei, who has scored 104 goals in 136 internationals, injured his hamstring
in Iran’s 2-1 win over Japan and was ruled out by head coach Branko
Ivankovic. However, assistant coach Hossein Faraki, handling press
conference duties in place of Ivankovic, suggested that Daei might play
after all.
Whether the former Bayern Munich man plays or not, the Iranians can take
confidence from the fact that they have lost just once in 23 official
matches played over the last 18 months.
More significantly, they have won the most recent meeting between the two
sides in Pyongyang, when in an Asian Cup 2004 qualifier, Iran won 3-1
through a double from AFC Player of the Year Ali Karimi and an effort from
Moharram Navidkia, who interestingly replaced Daei when he hobbled off 43
minutes into the Japan match.
Myong Song-choi who scored for DPR Korea has not been selected for the
national team this time round.
With a draw against Bahrain and a victory over Japan under their belt, Iran
could consolidate their position at the top if they can overcome a DPR Korea
side who must win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup finals
for the first time since the heroics of the 1966 squad and the stunning
brand of Chollima football.
The match, which takes place in Pyongyang’s 50,000 capacity Kim Il-sung
Stadium, kicks-off at 1535hrs local time.
|
