Unrevealed North Korea

As human, we learn fascinating new things in every time. It may be not so nice, but it depends on us. From one of the bless thing in this special month, I can see through what I've got from a quality football side other than surprising results. As I presume that this planet of billions people is football mad, wouldn't it be nice to take an interest in the national team's strategy and training. And if they're on board, then we know that the nation's on board too.

So when it comes to North Korea as a famously self-isolated little world, it could say that we thought of other things from their national team as well. North Korea's biggest advantage in World Cup could be its mystery with a closed-society, communism, a leadership cult, nuclear brinksmanship, but that is only now starting to open its shell a bit.

First lesson; The highest Brazil struggled with a hard-fought victory to over the conservative setup of the North Koreans, as the tournament's lowest-ranked team who are making their first World Cup appearance in 44 years ago. Once in England 1966, it was only previous qualification but what a memorable impact they made. North Korea a shock upset the Italians 1-0 and becoming the first Asian team to reach the quarterfinals. Then they got a 3-0 advantage after thirty minutes over Portugal, before losing 3-5 at last. Thing for sure about it, we never know what it's gonna be at the party. Sometimes, we like North Korea at this World Cup, anything could happen.

Secondly; Their team's nickname is Chollima, after a mythical winged-horse which is too swift to be mounted by a human. Its name roughly means "thousand-mile horse" and popular in central Asian folklore. That's nice, the fact that it's also "mythical" probably makes it less mountable too, but we're just being picky. Just like North Korea is known by FIFA as Korea Democratic People's Republic, that's so sweet to promote the regime as democratic. Perhaps we can find the team as they would be fighting with the same dedication to please the leader and to bring fame to motherland. But in the name of football, we could just concern it North Korea like everyone else does, or as the dear Chollima. Be wise to pick your alias.

Finally; A 25-year-old striker Jong Tae-Se plays for Kawasaki Frontale in Japan, scored 15 goals in 22 games for the national team plus the newest one to Julio Caesar. His nicknamed "North Korean's Rooney", is known for weeping copiously when the national anthem is played. He just did it again in openly during the playing of his country's national anthem, one scene that will linger in memory for quite some time. Is he one of six members of the North Korean Army or what?

Check this out; He born in Japan but South Korean citizenship. As a youngster was educated in North Korean state-funded schools in Japan, he recently tried to renounce citizenship in Pyongyang. Then .. whatever blah .. blaahh, don't mind the details. Surely FIFA's got a rule that one can only represent a country that eligible for. Well, since the Koreas don't recognize each other's sovereignty, technically he can play for both national teams simultaneously. Yes, "technically", just love that word. Get used to it, again, you never know what's gonna happen then.

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South Africa 2010 – Group H:

The main fact:
A group which is graced by the presence.

CHILE

Coach : Marcelo Bielsa

Appearances : 7

Best Result : Third Place 1962

FIFA Rank : 18th

Key : Alexis Sanchez, Humberto Suazo.

Considering Chile have not qualified for the World Cup since France 1998, they look good in patches during qualifying campaign finished in second place behind Brazil. Highlights included victory over Argentina and Colombia, the Chilean are one of the most intriguing sides at the tournament. In 2007 they sealed third at the U-20 World Cup and many of that side now make up a hungry solid team as one of the youngest squad with an average age around 23. Such as the talented Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez is the cream of a 21-year-old who already has 26 caps and 8 international goals to his name, the question will be on his ability to fight in Africa. If the young Chileans have problems adapting, then the doughty Swiss could take advantage. Otherwise, they will simply have too much quality and aggressiveness to qualify in second place. They will play with sharp passing to pressure the opposition in their half of the field, and matchup with Honduras will likely to be the key as they play Spain in the final game of the group.

HONDURAS

Coach - Reinaldo Rueda

Appearances : 1

Best Result : First Round 1982

FIFA Rank : 38th

Key : Wilson Palacios, David Suazo.

Honduras is making their second World Cup appearance since 1982, with a little chance of making to the round 16 if everything goes right on the day. Half of their squad plays in top level European leagues and they won't be intimidated by any team in this group. While they looks better than the others like New Zealand and North Korea, the Los Catrachos will certainly not look out for a place against any team in this event. Led by 36-year-old Carlos Pavon who scored seven goals in qualifying, he will be aided by Tottenham's Palacios, Genoa's Suazo, and Julio Leon of Italy's Torino. Yes, their problem is age, starting eleven mostly over 30. Obviously they will face a tough task to overcome the talent attack of Spain and Chile also the organization of Switzerland.

SPAIN

Coach : Vicente del Bosque

Appearances : 12

Best Result : Fourth place, 1950

FIFA Rank : 2nd

Key : Casillas, Xavi, David Villa.

There is simply way that the Spanish will win this group, and the Euro champions are considered the favorite to win the cup. Just like Holland, Spain is one of the best teams that never win world cup. Nowadays, it is no doubt the Spanish is absolutely superior to everyone with stars all over the field and many on the bench as well. There is quality oozing through their squad and La Roja have a wonderful chance to win their first ever World Cup. Their defense is reasonably solid with the best goalkeeper in the world Iker Casillas. With the attacking offense, their midfield and front line is the best in the world right now. Qualification was a breeze, a 100% record and an average of almost three goals a game. However, the Spaniards has consistently underachieved in championship play and was exposed by the United States as vulnerable to the counterattack in the 2009 Confederations Cup. They have to prove their improvement by facing one of Ivory Coast or Portugal in the round of 16, then Brazil in the last perfect final.

SWITZERLAND

Coach : Ottmar Hitzfeld

Appearances : 8

Best Result : Quarterfinals 1934, 1938, 1954

FIFA Rank : 24th

Key : Tranquillo Barnetta, Philippe Senderos, Alexander Frei.

The Swiss hasn't finished better than round of 16 since the 1950's, now they're making their ninth World Cup final appearance or second in a row. Switzerland can be summed up by saying they're an extremely average side who is qualified from an average group. They recovered well from a humiliating home defeat to that footballing giant known as Luxembourg to win their group ahead of Greece, losing only once in 10 matches. Under Ottmar Hitzfeld the senior side has raised eyebrows, so they are a good team but not so deep. They have talent across the board but main challenge is they get easily injured or suspensions may occur. For this reason, even they have a chance of making the knockout stages but logically they would fall short.

PREDICTION :

This group is graced by the presence of Spain as well as Chile, Switzerland, and Honduras. While it may be hard to predict which two sides will qualify, there would be no doubt about the group winner. The only way Spain doesn't win is because they choke, but we never hear about it.

Chile could be the only team in this group to steal first from the Spaniards, but that means beating them and the world cup might be over. Honduras pegged as the underdog, but Carlos Pavon and David Suazo are going to be a scoring force. Switzerland is one of the weakest teams from Europe in this party, apparently they are going to miss Frei for at least one match, so hard to expect them standing up to Chile. So, it comes down to the Honduras vs Chile, whoever the winner will finish second in the group. Let's hope than expect to see young Chileans' adventurous '3 - 3 - 1 - 3' formation with Sanchez making fools of defenders and Suazo banging all the ball home.

MY ORACLE :

Spain (9), Chile (4), Honduras (3), Switzerland (1).

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