North-South Korea 2010 World Cup update
UPDATE (Oct 15, 2008):
North Korea lost to Iran (2:1). Iran fight to take second place in Group Two behind South Korea, who beat United Arab Emirates 4-1. South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and North Korea all have four points. Video here.
The DPRK is scheduled to play Saudi Arabia (twice), UAE, South Korea, and Iran (again) in matches lasting through June 2009.
UPDATE: According to Bloomberg:
North and South Korea drew 1-1 in Asian qualifying for soccer’s 2010 World Cup.
Hong Yong-Jo put North Korea ahead with a 63rd-minute penalty kick in Shanghai yesterday, with Ki Sung-Yeung replying for South Korea five minutes later. It was the teams’ fourth draw in as many matches this year.
UPDATE: FIFA has set the September 10 DPRK-ROK World Cup qualifying match in Shanghai (again). Pyongyang is still reluctant to raise the South Korean flag in Kim il Sung stadium. Someone please tell the DPRK foreign ministry that this does not reinforce the image of social strength that the North works so hard to cultivate. Read more here.
Goal.com makes the claim that these political decisions also hurt the team’s chances of winning.
FIFA is neutral, and it will not sanction the DPRK since both teams agree to play the game in Shanghai. More on their decision can be found here.
ORIGINAL POST: As reported earlier, North and South Korea were both drawn into Group 3 in Round 3 qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. North and South Korea tied 0-0 in both games against each other. However, due to Pyongyang’s refusal to raise the South Korean flag and play the South Korean national anthem, the initial Pyongyang home match was moved to Shanghai, where yours truly was able to attend. Pyongyang also tried to have the Seoul home match moved to another city or country before finally abandoning politics and just letting their boys play.
Well, FIFA has drawn groups for Round 4 qualifiers, and both North and South Korea have been chosen for Group 2. This means Pyongyang will have another opportunity to host the South Korean national football team—along with their flag and anthem. What are the odds that Pyongyang will actually host their home game this time around?
Matches are scheduled for September 10 and January 4, 2009. Venues TBD.
UPDATE: The head of the South Korean Football Association Chung Mong-joon wants the 2010 World Cup qualifier against North Korea scheduled for September 10 to take place in Pyongyang. (Goal.com)