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TOP > COLUMN > Look back on the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers "Group B"
10 Jul 2009 Look back on the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers "Group B"
For the first time at the World Cup finals, the entire Korean peninsula will be represented next summer when the game’s greatest event kicks off in South Africa.
While perennial qualifiers South Korea booked their spot at a seventh straight - and eighth in total - World Cup finals, neighbours North Korea also secured their ticket for the finals for only the second time in history.
North Korea’s passage to the finals was sealed with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, but it was fitting that the country’s chances were enhanced just hours before when South Korea held Iran to a 1-1 draw in Seoul.
Iran, leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Masoud Shojaei, looked to be on course to keep their own World Cup dreams alive when, with just nine minutes remaining, Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung burst into the penalty area before beating Seyed Rahmati at his near post with a fine left foot strike.
That left North Korea’s fate in their own hands and, with a defensive record that was second only to South Korea’s in Group B of Asia’s qualifying tournament, the chances were always high Kim Jong-hun’s side would prevail.
“We focused on the defending as we had come under a lot of pressure from the Saudis and I think our preparation for the game was one factor that earned the victory tonight,” said Kim after the game.
“We monitored the Saudi team from the beginning of our campaign and I noticed that they have a problem in finding good strikers.”
North Korea’s qualification will no doubt evoke memories of their previous appearance on the world stage, when they reached the quarter-finals in England in 1966.
A famous 1-0 win over Italy was followed by an astonishing performance against Portugal, when they race into a 3-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes only to be pegged back by an outstanding showing by the great Eusebio, to eventually lose 5-3.
That run to the last eight remained the best performance by an Asian nation at a World Cup until South Korea made it through to the last four on home soil in 2002.
While the 1966 team went to the World Cup as complete unknowns, the 2010 vintage will at least have something of a profile.
Coach Kim has built his team around the talents of Japan-born duo An Yong Hak and Jong Tese, who plays his club football for J.League side Kawasaki Frontale, as well as FC Rostok central midfielder Hong Yong-jo, one of the few North Korea-born players permitted to play outside the reclusive state.
The rest of the squad has been nurtured at home, playing in a domestic league that has virtually no contact with the outside world. North Korean clubs do not participate in regional or continental competitions.
However, despite that isolationist policy, the signs of success have been evident for some years.
North Korea’s national team qualified for the final round of the continent’s qualifying campaign for Germany 2006 while at youth level, the country has twice reached the final of the Asian Football Confederation’s under 17 championship in the last five years, finishing as runners-up on both occasions.
For South Korea, meanwhile, qualification for the World Cup finals is now almost a foregone conclusion.
A 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates - on the same day as Japan and Australia also sealed qualification - guaranteed the nation a trip to an Asian record eighth World Cup, with South Africa 2010 destined to be the country’s seventh appearance in a row.
Huh Jung-moo’s side were a class above the rest of the teams in Group B and a 0-0 draw in their next game - against Saudi Arabia, ensured they would finish in first place despite having one more game to play.
Qualification also saw the restoration of the reputation of coach Huh, who was replaced after a disappointing showing at the 2000 Asian Cup by Dutchman Guus Hiddink ahead of the nation’s co-hosting of the 2002 tournament.
Hiddink, of course, went on to lead the country to the semi-finals on that occasions, a record that still stands as the best performance ever by an Asian nation at the World Cup finals.
"I'm really happy that we made it to the World Cup finals,” said Huh. “We played well and we are all satisfied with a performance that saw us win and ensure a place in South Africa in 2010.
"I'm really honoured to lead the team to the World Cup, mainly because I'm Korean and this is really good for me."
While the Korean duo have booked their tickets for the finals next summer, Saudi Arabia will have to wait to find out if they can successfully complete their attempt to qualify for a fifth straight finals.
Jose Peseiro’s side drew 0-0 in their final qualifier against North Korea in Riyadh when they needed a win to claim their place at the World Cup. The draw, coupled with Iran’s inability to beat South Korea on the final day, meant the Saudis finished in third place in Group B.
As a result, they will face off against Bahrain, who were third in Group A, with the winners meeting New Zealand for a place in South Africa next summer.
“I believe we have another chance to reach South Africa and we will do our best to achieve this goal,” said Peseiro.
“I am not Saudi but I feel how sad the Saudi fans. I am sure we will qualify. Our next target is Bahrain and we have enough time to prepare for this game.”
