Well, I can barely believe it.
North Korea scraped through by the skin of the highly enriched uranium by drawing with Saudi Arabia 0-0 in Riyadh on Wednesday night to finish second in its Asian 3rd-round qulifying group.
North Korea qualified for its first World Cup since 1966 on the back of Park Ji Sung's fantastic goal against Iran in Seoul last night which helped the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw. After Park Chu-Young missed a guilt edged chance that he'd brilliantly set up for himself and hit the post from a screaming free-kick it looked like it was going to be one of those nights for the Koreans.
That was until Park played through a beautiful give and go find himself tearing into the box before perfectly placing an unstoppable shot at the near post.
(Check 3.30 and 4.30 for the aforementioned highlights)
Of course, Korea already had its ticket to South Africa 2010 booked. The two points Iran dropped meant that 1 point for the North Koreans was enough.
It was touch and go for the North in the tense but thrilling final 10 mins. They looked pretty wobbly and nervous at the back giving the Saudi's every opportunity to book their place in the Finals at the expense of North Korea. Kim Yong-jun was dismissed from the pitch deep in injury-time for a deliberate ankle tap secinds after Kim Kum Il missed a sitter hat would've settled the matter. The North managed to hang and went nuts at the final whistle qualifing for their first World Cup since 1966.
Though technically enemies and still at war, their victory was highy celebrated in the South and was a victory for the Korean minjok. Two countries, one blood! I'm sure it be long until we hear about how a united Korean team could win the World Cup!
Check out Saudi missed chances at 2:30, 3:02 and 3:35 and a golden North Korean opportunity at 3:21. Highly entertaining for scoreless draw. But really teh Saudi's should've punished North Korea and booked their World Cup tik sending the North out of the tournament.
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