North Korea welcomed group leaders Japan to a packed stadium in Pyongyang in today's first FIFA World Cup qualifier. Surprisingly, North Korea were more dangerous in attack from the get-go, and a couple of free kicks went close to the goal in the first period. North Korea were obviously amped up and ready to go, perhaps too much so as they received eight yellow cards during the match. The young Japanese team held for a 0-0 halftime score, but they were really up against the wall, the score notwithstanding.
Five minutes into the second period, a North Korea free kick was headed twice in the box, and as they saying goes, two headers in the box equal a goal. Pak Nam-Chol (pictured, red #4) finished with a vicious header from the penalty spot, and North Korea were leading. Both of North Korea's goals in the tournament thus far have been scored by a Pak Nam-Chol, but there are two players with that name. In minute 77, Jong Il-Gwan was ejected for his second yellow card, leaving North Korea down a man and the crowd antsy. However, North Korea's vaunted defense held firm, and the crowd got to celebrate a well-earned 1-0 victory over the 2011 AFC Asian Cup champions. Although North Korea have already been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, they do take away the Unofficial Football World Champions title from Japan. This marks North Korea's first reign holding the title.
Uzbekistan were warming up for their home match in Tashkent against last-place Tajikistan when news of Japan's loss came in. Uzbekistan knew that a would win put them three points clear in firs place. Uzbekistan were completely dominant in this matchup, but were only able to put one goal in the net in the first period.
In the second period, Uzbek dominance continued over their hapless neighbors. Uzbekistan converted goals on two more occasions, taking the victory by a 3-0 scoreline. Eraj Rajabov had taken a red card for Tajikistan, leaving his side down a man for the final four minutes of play. Uzbekistan move to thirteen points in the group and need only a tie in Japan to clinch the group title. One can only imagine how the group would have played out had Syria been allowed to compete in place of Tajikistan.
Goals
North Korea
Pak Nam-Chol (midfielder) 50
Uzbekistan
Sanjar Tursunov 34
Odil Ahmedov 60
Alexandr Geynrikh 72
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59_dg-5mL8o (North Korea v. Japan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y82uV3oBkI4 (Uzbekistan v. Tajikistan)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqvmB622Pb8 (Uzbekistan v. Tajikistan)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqvmB622Pb8 (Uzbekistan v. Tajikistan)
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