World Cup Preview: North Korea - Iran

Pyongyang on Saturday evening will be no place for the faint-hearted…

Jun 5, 2009 4:14:47 AM

More On :  Iran, Korea DPR (PRK), Korea DPR (PRK) vs Iran
Chong Tese - Korea Rep vs DPR Korea
North Korea (2nd, 10 points) - Iran (4th, six points) Venue: Kim Il Sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea Kick-Off: June 6, 10:00 AM CET

Great Chance For A Second Crack

North Korea’s only appearance on the global stage is now safely part of World Cup folklore. A place in the quarter-finals in 2010, should they get there, is probably beyond the Chollima but they have the ability to shock more prestigious oopposition. 
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In Asian terms, Iran fit the bill and while almost all of the pre-match hype has centred on the visitors, their new coach and their need to win to stay alive, North Korea have been quietly going about their business.  

Three points for North Korea would not seal a place in South Africa but it would guarantee at least a play-off spot and put them in a very strong position to claim one of the two automatic places. 

Throughout qualification, they have looked solid. They didn’t concede a single goal in six games in the previous round and while they haven’t been as thrifty in the final round, a strong defence is the foundation of the team’s good results.  

The game in Tehran ended in a 2-1 defeat but Iranian fans will well remember how a 2-0 lead at half-time at the Azadi became 2-1 soon into the second half and it was only by good goalkeeping and wayward finishing that Iran were able to hang on and take the three points.

North Korea's second defeat of the group in Seoul was a bitter pill to swallow and the recriminations and accusations flew for weeks. The team needs to show character to bounce back and record a first ever win against Iran.

How Kim Jong-hun's men approach the game will be vital. This is a team that likes to counter-attack at speed but know that with an away match at Saudi Arabia to come, this home game is their best chance for three points.

But Iran also need the win and an open game would likely suit the visitors more. The coach needs to plan carefully.

It is time for the likes of Jong Tae-se and Hong Yong-jo to step up and score the goals that could give DPRK one foot in South Africa.

No More Mistakes 

It is sobering that the North Korea win at home is Iran’s only victory this round. Draws at UAE and at home to south Korea were disappointing and the subsequent home defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia cost Ali Daei his job.  

Now it is up to Afshin Ghotbi. Appointed in April, this former assistant coach of South Korea knows that defeat by the Taedong will almost certainly leave Iran out of the running and make his tenure a short one.

The suspension of midfield lynchpin Javad nekounam is a blow of course, the Spanish star has been in good form for Osasuna and has been one of the bright spots for Iran. Club-mate Masoud Shojaei has been in even better form and much depends on him. 

Ghotbi’s decision to recall some of the old guard such as Ferydoon Zandi and, of course, Ali Karimi will earn praise only if they help earn points.

But Iran demonstrated four years ago that they can win in Pyongyang and they have never lost to North Korea. Now is not the time to start.  

FORM GUIDE

North Korea

LOST 0-1 (a) South Korea (WCQ, April 1)
WON 2-0 (h) UAE (WCQ, March 28)
WON 1-0 (h) Saudi Arabia (WCQ, February 11)
LOST 0-1 (a) Thailand (Friendly, January 23)
DREW 0-0 (a) Vietnam (Friendly, October 30)

Iran

LOST 0-1 (a) China (Friendly, June 1)
DREW 1-1 (h) Senegal (Friendly, April 1)
LOST 1-2 (h) Saudi Arabia (WCQ, March 28)
WON 1-0 (h) Kenya (Friendly, March 14)
DREW 1-1 (h) South Korea (WCQ, February 11)

TEAM NEWS

North Korea have no injures and are likely to be unchanged from the team that lost in Seoul in April.  

Iran are without the suspended Javad Nekounam and the injured Karim Bagheri, two of their most experienced players. Expect Andranik Teymourian to feature as well as Ali Karimi.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

North Korea

Hong Yong-jo has not quite hit the heights in recent games but the cultured Russian-based star should enjoy playing against the technically adept Iranians, although under Ghotbi, he may get less space to work with that he may have liked. North Korea have scored some great goals in this campaign and Hong is capable of the spectacular.

Iran

Most agree with Ghotbi’s decision to recall Ali Karimi. The issue of whether the former Asian Player of the year should feature in the national team dogged Ali Daei’s reign. He has been given another, and probably his last chance, it is now up to him to show that he is worth all the fuss. One gets the feeling that Karimi will either be fantastic or anonymous. 

PREDICTION

It is a tough, tough match to predict. Two months ago, North Korea would have been favourites. The arrival of Ghotbi has at least made Iran into a team and with South Africa so close, the hosts will be under pressure in front of 100,000.

North Korea 0- 1 Iran

John Duerden

Asia Editor

john.duerden@goal.com
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