For North Korea, silence is golden
We have drawn big teams, but we don’t know much about each other. As for us, we are a team. Our common objective is Cup trophy. ABDOUL K SANDA, Niger midfielder
KOCHI: When a North Korean team takes part in an international sporting event, it draws plenty of curious observers. Athletes from the reclusive nation rarely speak to the media except in formal press conferences.
That practice remains in place for the North Korea team taking part in the FIFA U-17 World Cup here as well. The North Korea U-17 team, placed in Group D with Brazil, Spain and Niger, has been shielded from the media.
The preparations were shrouded in secrecy to such an extent that until the North Korean football federation submitted the name of its new head coach with the 21-member players’ list, it wasn’t clear who had replaced their banned head coach, Yun Jong-su.
However, with four previous appearances in the U-17 World Cup, North Korea are no strangers to the tournament and will be determined to prove a point when they face Niger in their opening Group D game at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at 8 pm on Saturday.
Last year, their showing at the AFC U-16 Championship impressed many observers. They went on to reach the semifinals, where they lost to Iran on penalties. However, they also courted controversy in the group stages after goalkeeper Jang Paek-ho was found guilty of deliberately conceding a goal in the loss against Uzbekistan. That result meant they avoided Iran in the quarters and instead faced Oman, whom they defeated on penalties.
Jang and head coach Yun Jong-su were banned for a year. Yong Su-kim has taken over as the new head coach. With a talented squad at his disposal, he will aim to spring a few surprises in the tournament. NIGER DEBUT Niger are playing in a World Cup for the first time. Despite their lack of experience at this level, there is no dearth of confidence.
Midfielder Abdoul Karim Sanda said his team’s objective is to win the Cup, while head coach Tiemogo Soumalia also said winning the title was his dream.
Leading the line will be Ibrahim Boubacar Marou while Abdoul Karim Sanda and Sofiane Habibou are Niger midfielders. A loss on Saturday will leave either of the two sides with a mountain to climb, in terms of qualification to Round of 16.