North Korea Going to World Cup
With a 0-0 draw at Saudi Arabia today, North Korea secured its first World Cup berth since 1966. The other automatic qualifiers from Asia are Japan, South Korea and Australia. The Saudis will face Bahrain in a two-game regional playoff in September, with the winner facing Oceania champion New Zealand for a World Cup slot.
Why do I have a sneaking suspicion the North Koreans and Americans will land in the same group in South Africa next summer? Sort of like when the USA and Iran were "randomly" paired in 1998. (How many of you remember the USA-North Korea friendly at RFK Stadium in 1991? The Koreans won, 2-1.)
By
Steve Goff
|
June 17, 2009; 6:17 PM ET
Categories:
2010 World Cup
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Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | June 17, 2009 6:32 PM | Report abuse
As long as the game isn't in Pyong Yang. Then a Ricardo Clark red card might end him up in a labor camp.
Posted by: daandre3 | June 17, 2009 6:36 PM | Report abuse
Dear Leader very happy. DPRK great nation.
Posted by: delantero | June 17, 2009 6:52 PM | Report abuse
Posted by: DCUnitedFootball | June 17, 2009 7:12 PM | Report abuse
Do they still play a 2-3-5? I mean they've been isolated for a while.
Posted by: LostinPotomac | June 17, 2009 7:40 PM | Report abuse
Prior to the World Cup ESPN Classic will broadcast "The Game of Their Lives," the 2002 documentary.
Then they'll broadcast "The Game of Their Lives," the 2005 film.
Then they'll broadcast "The Poker Game of Their Lives" about Norman Chad's ascent to the top of the poker broadcast world.
Posted by: I-270Exit1 | June 17, 2009 7:54 PM | Report abuse
lol 270. lol...
Posted by: DadRyan | June 17, 2009 8:13 PM | Report abuse
North Korea vs USA? Great. If North Korea wins, instead of blowing their horns, the Great Leader will launch a couple of Taepo-Dong IIs over Japan.
@LostinPotomac: well played!
Posted by: joedoc1 | June 17, 2009 8:22 PM | Report abuse
Who will Madelaine Albright be rooting for?
Posted by: SkinsDiesel | June 17, 2009 8:27 PM | Report abuse
Dear Leader plays for them, right? I heard that he scored 20 goals for them today -- while being the keeper and getting the shutout.
Posted by: Reignking | June 17, 2009 8:42 PM | Report abuse
This is annoying. Im fairly certain my favorite soccer team scores more than my favorite baseball team. Sometimes I hate the Braves
Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | June 17, 2009 8:51 PM | Report abuse
cool stuff.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/1043/story/781323.html
Posted by: DCUnitedFootball | June 17, 2009 7:12 PM | Report abuse
Nice, fairly glowing report on United...but Rodney Harris??? Oops.
Posted by: DrBeaker | June 17, 2009 9:06 PM | Report abuse
How about an "all-diplomacy" group of the USA, N. Korea, Russia and Israel? Hillary Clinton can come as an honorary coach and negotiate nuclear treaties based on the outcomes.
Posted by: dimesmakedollars | June 17, 2009 9:31 PM | Report abuse
Urgent. Golden opportunity. If the American President is smart, he will realize that this is the North Korean's "achille's heal".
Pressure the World Cup of Soccer Organization to ban North Korea from further competition unless they release the two U.S. citizens held hostage and [insert other demands here].
If World Cup of Soccer or South Africa doesn't comply, freeze their assets etc...apply financial pressure.
Posted by: soccer-it-to-em | June 18, 2009 1:36 AM | Report abuse
Urgent. Golden opportunity. If the American President is smart, he will realize that this is the North Korean's "achille's heal".
Pressure the World Cup of Soccer Organization to ban North Korea from further competition unless they release the two U.S. citizens held hostage and [insert other demands here].
If World Cup of Soccer or South Africa doesn't comply, freeze their assets etc...apply financial pressure.
Posted by: soccer-it-to-em | June 18, 2009 1:36 AM | Report abuse
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What, North Korea has Assets??????????
Posted by: Raiderfan82 | June 18, 2009 2:21 AM | Report abuse
I assume a lot of you heard about how Kim Jung Il scored a 34 on a par 72 course the first time he ever played golf, right? Well, I hear that he is going to play for the N. Koreans when they play the US at the World Cup and will score 7 goals! It's already been deetermined. He must be an amazing athlete! ;-)
Posted by: Dougmacintyre | June 18, 2009 8:15 AM | Report abuse
It would be neat to have the US and North Korea in the same group, but unless the US is seeded (doubtful) I don't see it happening. I expect FIFA will combine the Asia and CONCACAF team into one pot like last time, and we'll be matched up with two European teams and an African or S.American team.
Posted by: asfoolasiam | June 18, 2009 10:10 AM | Report abuse
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I'd be fine with being in their group. As someone pointed out, this keeps them behaved due to the positive propaganda they can use this for, and I'd imagine it would be three points for us.