- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - North Korea arrive for the World Cup
- Date: 2nd June 2010
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 1, 2010) (REUTERS) AIRCRAFT BUS WITH THE NORTH KOREAN SQUAD ON BOARD BUS ARRIVING AT TERMINAL SECURITY AND AIRPORT STAFF NORTH KOREAN SQUAD GET OFF THE BUS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) NORTH KOREAN COACH KIM JONG-HUN SAYING: "We've been preparing for the game for a year and achieved to get here. As the date is coming closer and we're in the actual place (for the game), I've gathered up my mind and will give myself to the game." NORTH KOREAN FLAG AND BADGE (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) NORTH KOREAN COACH KIM JONG-HUN SAYING: "For sure, we would like to make a good result in this World Cup so that we could bring great honour to our country and great leader of our people, Kim Jong-il." BUS WITH NORTH KOREAN SQUAD READY TO DEPART SQUAD MEMBER GIVING VICTORY SIGN THROUGH THE WINDOW BUS DEPARTS
- Embargoed: 17th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAEE1CUF9Z983DSAWDKH72MTQ2Q
- Story Text: North Korea's World Cup soccer squad arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday (June 1) for just their second World Cup finals in their history.
North Korea last played in the World Cup finals in 1966 in England where they famously reached the quarter-finals after beating Italy in the group stage. They went on to lose their quarter-final match 5-3 to Portugal, though they had led the match 3-0 at one stage.
Portugal will again be one of their opponents in Group G, which promises to be one of the toughest groups in the tournament as it also includes Brazil and the Ivory Coast, but coach Kim Jong-Hun is confident tha his side can perform well.
"We've been preparing for the game for a year and achieved to get here," Jong-Hun told reporters just moments after the team arrived in South Africa.
"As the date is coming closer and we're in the actual place (for the game), I've gathered up my mind and will give myself to the game."
North Korea will play a friendly match against Nigeria on June 6 before opening up against Brazil on June 15 in Johannesburg.
Jong-Hun said they hope to do the country and their leader proud.
"For sure, we would like to make a good result in this World Cup so that we could bring great honour to our country and great leader of our people, Kim Jong-il." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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