world cup

Portugal pulverizes North Korea 7-0 as N Korea broadcasts game live

89 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


89 Comments
Login to comment

LoveUSA,

I expected some major substitutions after Portugal scored their 4th goal but I guess as long as points scored affect the group rankings almost as much as win/loss, teams will continue to run up the scores.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Super smooth Portugal shifting it up a gear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i felt so bad for north korea.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i felt so bad for north korea.

Me too. Portuguese men no gentlemen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Goals scored will probably decide who goes through in this group. I don't blame portugal.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I guess the north korean media won't be reporting that one

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Dear Leader might though! Portuguese ships beware! ;)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

North Korea lost because there were only 3 fans from their country.They were not even cheering.kawai so!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This will surely put the Dear Leader in a sour mood. I hope he doesn't take it out on the South! Looks like the last game of Portugal vs Brazil will be a cake walk for both teams.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

there were only 3 fans from their country

there were qinese supporting N. Korean team.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As a S. Korean myself I just laughed out loud after seeing the result.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ouch, especially after a good half by NK. Junnama, are you for real? Even if Portugal loses to Brazil 1-0, it means that Ivory Coast will have to score at least 8 goals to advance. Yeah, it was REALLY necessary for Portugal to score 7 goals huh.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unbelievable - The Diver Ronaldo didnt take a dive?! This is unprecedented! I too feel sorry for the North Koreans - they play with pride despite their being hopelessly outclassed. Lets hope the madman Kim doesn't punish the poor buggers for this...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As a S. Korean myself I just laughed out loud after seeing the result.

That's not cool, moshino. Don't laugh at them - they all tried their hearts out. I actually fear for their safety at the hands of their sadist "Dear Leader"...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As a S. Korean myself I just laughed out loud after seeing the result.

don't worry, South Korea still has the record of losing a match in World Cup with the biggest margin :D

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The goal-keeper and the coach are dead meat.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Finally a team that was able to put on a good show for the viewers. The best way to show respect for a weaker team is to do your best and score as many goals as you can. I don't think that anyone would appreciate a team that has to dumb down it's game just because you're not good enough for them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

don't worry, South Korea still has the record of losing a match in World Cup with the biggest margin :D

And that was when?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Congrats to Portugal. It was a sublime game by them. But then again, it was a painful game to watch since it looked like a pro team just beating up on a little league team. I'd much rather watch two heavyweights go at it with both of them playing good football. Watching a lopsided affair where one team (in this case North Korea) is committing error after error and showing no life in the second half, gets dull really fast.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

moshiso7:

there were qinese supporting N. Korean team.

You should learn how to spell before posting here. This is not the first time you've done this and I have no idea why your posts haven't been deleted. The correct spelling should be 'qorean'.

BurakuminDes:

That's not cool, moshino. Don't laugh at them - they all tried their hearts out. I actually fear for their safety at the hands of their sadist "Dear Leader"...

One Nigerian footballer has already received a lot of death threats. Wasn't a Colombian player killed as soon as he stepped back on home soil? And it's well known that Saddam Hussein's son used to torture Iraqi players who played badly. I agree - it's not funny in certain cases.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

daisan:

Finally a team that was able to put on a good show for the viewers.

Oh puleez, that was like watching someone stealing candy from a baby. Portugal gets to get 3 points and a lot of practice, but a real good show would involve 2 top teams, not one top team and the lowest ranked team that only qualified because Asian competition is weak. This is like Japan bragging about a win over Hong Kong.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does anyone doubt Ivory Coast can score 5 or 6 goals against NK?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Evidently, some of you are not very knowledgeable about sports. These athletes are trained to instinctively score goals, not to feel sorry for their opponents. If this was a friendly non-World Cup match maybe they would let up, but with the goal differential formula and the importance of momemtum going forward I'm Portugal has no regrets about their performance.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

North Korea collapsed after the second goal. Just because of the different skill levels or was there some weird psychological stuff happening? It was like they suddenly stopped believing. Running up the score is not Portugal's problem, as the rules are they have no choice.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Finally a team that was able to put on a good show for the viewers.

Daisan - if you get pleasure out of Goliath massacring David - you are on your own there, my friend!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm a relatively new soccer fan, so someone please bring me up to speed on this: I don't understand why people are saying that Portugal shouldn't have tried to get as many goals as possible. Isn't that the point of a soccer game, do do your best and score as many goals as possible? It's the World Cup, so participating teams had to qualify to even be there, so the assumption is that they're all top-level pros. So how was this game 'like the top-level pros beating up on the little leaguers'? It might also be noted that Portugal has less than half the population of North Korea. ...or are the people who say that Portugal was playing unfairly only saying so because North Korea is a special case due to its crazy leader/king/owner/whatever-he-is who might send the players' mothers into the salt mines for the rest of their lives because of a loss of such margins? Fill me in here.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

CaptDingleheimer - I can't speak for other nationalities on this board - but us sports freaks from Australia - not just soccer but all sports - could probably explain things to you better than others, mate. We cheer for the "underdog" - which is a term Aussies use for a team or person who is hopelessly outclassed, basically.

When a team like the All-Whites (NZ) shocks the world and draws with 4-time world champs Italy - the sports fans of Australia - and of course the Kiwis - celebrate. Yes - many countries and cultures like the dominant team of "superstars" ie Portugal (with the most expensive player in the world) crushing the little guy (ie North Korea) - but from an Aussie (and Kiwi) perspective, we just don't. It's in our nature, I guess...

I hope this explains things a little - maybe other Aussies can help out and explain things too?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So, the Swiss team played defensively, but I'd like to think, courageously. The Japanese team has played defensively, but a lot of people complain about it.

So what's the difference?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I felt so bad for Ronaldo, he should have scored at least 3 or 5 goals just by himself, make this not 7 to 0, but say 12 to 0! I hope Ronaldo can score against Brazil too! Good job Portugal!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ok, Aussies and Kiwis, enough! We can feel sorry for North Korea all we want, but at the end of the day, it is a sport, a game and it is more exciting if one side wins, ok, maybe it was a bit boring after the 5th goal?? VIVA PORTUGAL! ps i hope the DPRK players do not get tortured back in pyongyang!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Daisan - if you get pleasure out of Goliath massacring David - you are on your own there, my friend!

Guess what I didn't even watch the game, but it wasn't a friendly game and they have to score otherwise they'll be mocking the rivals and everyone else watching it.

According to the rules you can get carded if you mock the rivals by doing silly and unnecessary moves. This also goes to show fifa how unpleasant the difference among confederations can be.

Anyway, just take a look at the group that just played, imagine Chile finishing with 9 points and all the rest with 3, goal average does matter and Portugal can play it safe now, they can lose against Brazil and don't worry about it.

We'll start to see good games from now on though, but that's not guaranteed, a knockout game could be either an open game with lots of goals or a snoozefest until the PK's.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps the NK players can defect to SK, or better yet to Canada -- our team didn't even make it that far.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A lot of you are forgetting that Portugal will not want to lose against Brazil. Brazil is sitting on 6, Portugal on 4. Winner plays runner up in group H (Spain, Chile, Switzeland). That game between Brazil and Portugal is going to be a big game. Portugal also wanted to show Brazil, who beat N.Korea by only 2-1, that they are a good team to build their own confidence. Plenty of reason for Portugal to keep scoring. And of course, Ivory Coast could score 8 against N.Korea, you never know.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sorry des but if a team is going to stop defending as NK did then they deserve no support..they werent competing in the 2nd half..Aussies support guts and giving your all even when the scoreline is against you..not that

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps the NK players can defect to SK, or better yet to Canada

Two "North Korean" players were born in Japan and play for Japanese teams. Neither has ever lived in North Korea and one - Jong Tae-Se (9) - both his parents and grandparents were born in Japan but his great-grandparents were born in South Korea. An Yong-Hak (17) was born in Okayama. The rest are in serious trouble back home, I'm sure.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People complaining about the score obviously don't understand how World Cup rankings work and how the total score of goals this round can count to get a team through or to go home.

The Argie killed about 10 years ago scored on his team and was gunned down outside a bar. Nigeria better look after that player. Shocking how pathetic some fans are. Rooney being booed - he should not have aplogized for his comment towards them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You cannot fault Portugal for running up the score. It is good sportsmanship to do your best, regardless of the score. It is poor sportsmanship, insulting, and condescending for a world-class team to back off out of pity for their opponent.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kim Jong-il, "Bring me the head of Carlos Queiroz!"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I love Ronaldo's shot that hit the cross bar. The rain spraying in all directions of the posts ! There has to be a good tv commercial in that one. For a brief second I wished for one of those new 3-D jobs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This just in: The price of Portugese tourist visas to Pyongyang have been increased seven fold.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I bet the N.K side are feeling a bit ronery in their grouping now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A few bleeding-hearts here just cant get to get it thru their heads. Goal differential is crucial. With the Ivory Coast sure to put a few past the N. Koreans in the next game and Brazil coming up, Portugal would have been stupid not to try and score 20. If the rules don't suit you, go watch figure skating.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When I read some of these comments I can’t but help laugh at some of the ideas about football. I can feel that some are lacking in understanding when the term Soccer is used, but please do some research before you comment as you make yourselves look like fools.

Please check rules, FOR and AGAINST and player’s skill ability....... there are scouts in SA watching the games, getting a good look at player’s ability to sign them for clubs around the world. If a player does not out shine another the scout might just move onto another, it allows players to advance out of Asia and Africa into Europe!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done Portugal. Glad you pummeled that disgusting nation. Though the team members will probably be executed on their return to Pyongyang for disgracing the regime in public.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

don't worry, South Korea still has the record of losing a match in World Cup with the biggest margin :D And that was when?

Long time back, man, long time back. It might take some more world cups to be beaten that badly.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And I thought Germany was cruel. I am no fan of Portugal anymore.

You know what?, some countries see the World Cup as a war, The N. Koreans sent their best warriors just as Portugal did, and the NKs weren't good enough. If you want glory you have to fight for it. If you don't want to play stay home.

i felt so bad for north korea.

Perhaps this will send a message to the "great leader" that Isolation, secrecy,espionage, and brute militarism don't make a great nation, or a great team.

Me too. Portuguese men no gentlemen.

Please read above. Ive met alot of Portuguese men that are true gentlemen, I only have great things to say about one of my mates at uni that was from Santiago. When I was in Portugal, I found them to be a charming, warm and festive people, with a great history and culture behind them. They did what was expected of them, there's no "sympathy" in the WC. They did the right thing. I would only expect the same from the NKs had it been the other way around.

North Korea lost because there were only 3 fans from their country.They were not even cheering.kawai so!

Well, who's fault is that? if their leader would just put down the bamboo curtain and join the rest of the world maybe their poor citizens would get a real shot at life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think the organization of FIFA is very bad. FIFA allows such teams as Australia and North Korea, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea to qualify, while football powers like Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, etc do not particpate. Boring.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Perhaps this will send a message to the "great leader" that Isolation, secrecy,espionage, and brute militarism don't make a great nation, or a great team.

This is just a sport, I do not understand why many people try to transfer their hate for a country's government to a soccer team.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is just a sport, I do not understand why many people try to transfer their hate for a country's government to a soccer team.

where in my response did I say I hate NK? I think they have a great team that beat out other countries just to even be at the WC. Ive only stated an opinion based on facts. They are facts aren't they? Could you please point out exactly where you drew your conclusion from?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

*

while football powers like Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, etc do not particpate. Boring. *

Again, no understanding about the game..... did you check the Qualifing rounds??

**

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LoveUSA: "This is just a sport, I do not understand why many people try to transfer their hate for a country's government to a soccer team."

You're right... instead they should just talk about how they like Greek men and hate Germans for scoring too much. :)

I do agree with you, though. It's sickening to watch some people on here criticize a team simply based on nationality. Moshino is a prime example, and I know a lot of others who laugh when the team from a country they don't like loses. Of course, there's a certain amount of spirit in cheering against rivals, but people who cheer against a brave team like NK simply because they don't like the NK government is stupid, especially given that a couple of the players were born and raised in other countries.

Anyway, I respected the NK team after the Brazil match -- they put up a valiant effort -- but it was pretty hard to feel anything but embarrassment watching this match. They literally folded after the second goal was scored. I had to turn the TV off when it reached five a few minutes later, and wasn't surprised to see it was higher in the end. But I think pointing the finger at Portugal and saying they were wrong to score so much is just idiocy. It's not a pity match, it's a soccer match, and points count.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

BTT Simon Might be good to do some research yourself if you want to become a whiz when it comes to football knowledge. Fact is that in countries where football isn't the most popular sport, then it is still known as soccer. Sure Fifa calls it football, and the local associations have recently changed their official name for the sport to football, but as far as many people know it, it's still soccer. Just cause it sounds dumb to you doesn't mean it sounds dumb to others. English language is used world over, has differences in each country. Good points you make about the scouts. Also records to play for too, some of those Portugal players could be going for the Golden Boot, if that's what it's still called.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

instead they should just talk about how they like Greek men

yes, that is my weak spot. I admit I should pay attention to other things. Thanks for pinpointing the problem.

and hate Germans for scoring too much. :)

I do not hate Germans, I didn't like that they did not show kindness to a weaker opponent, same as Portuguese team.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Again, no understanding about the game..... did you check the Qualifing rounds??

I miss Romania. It is more difficult to qualify for world cup in Europe. I would better watch Romania than the gambare spirit of some other teams.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Lunchbox~ I must say sorry about the Soccer remark.... I should be happy to see Football/Soccer spreading around the world. No matter what it’s could it brings people together. Again, I say sorry.

Yes its still could the "Golden Boot" and yes they might be playing for the prize.... maybe its just a few who are pushing my buttons, hahaha, perhaps these people should stick two watching the men and not make comments about the rules. Anyway lets all enjoy!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Couldnt help but feel bad for the North Koreans, but the way the rules are set up Portugal had to score as many goals as possible. Heres to hoping that Brazil returns the favor though and humbles the Portuguese players especially pretty boy Ronaldo. (Sorry but never been a fan of the "elitist" European teams!)

Sure we can hate the North Korean government all we want (and we definitely have plenty of reasons to do so) but that shouldnt spill over to a soccer match. We should be able to separate the government from the citizens who suffer greatly due to their government. Hopefully, the soccer team will be treated well upon their return but unfortunately they probably wont. If anyone wants to see more of how much the people of North Korea truly suffer I highly recommend watching the South Korean film "Crossing". Its based on a true story and really details the plight that most North Koreans face everyday.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Lots of interesting comments here. I’m no expert on soccer, but I don't think I've ever seen a match quite that lopsided before. I think more Americans might get into the sport if the scoring was like this on a regular basis. ;-)

On a more serious note though, a few thoughts:

1) Re: “Portugal played a brilliant/skillful/great game.” Umm, no, they didn’t. They played against a team that is ranked 105th in the world, and it showed. North Korea was obviously outclassed in virtually every category. And by the time the third ball sailed into the net, everyone, including the Koreans, knew it. In the competitive sports I’ve played, a general rule of thumb is that you can only be as good as the competition you face. In other words, when you face an opponent of comparable ability, you play to that ability. If you face someone a little better than you, you either step up your game or lose. And if you play someone who is several factors weaker than you, your play tends to suffer as well. There were two occasions in the later part of the second half when the DPRK almost made goals because the Portuguese squad was getting lazy and complacent. The only thing we should really be congratulating the Portuguese team for is being lucky enough to draw North Korea for this match.

2) Re: “Portugal didn’t need to rack up the score”: While it was painful watching the clearly outclassed North Koreans let goal after goal slip through (some might say, “amble through”), the advancement scheme of the World Cup doesn’t give pity points or compassion points. Portugal would not have seen any appreciable benefit in holding off on a 5th, 6th, or even 7th goal (except, perhaps, to earn the admiration of LoveUSA ;-)), but there are numerous benefits in scoring as many points as possible, including securing a berth in the finals. Every goal counts towards standings, and up until this match, Portugal was in a bit of trouble with no points scored yet after their first match. Again, drawing a game against the vastly unprepared North Koreans was an amazing bit of luck, yes, but it’s the kind of luck you don’t turn your back on in the World Cup, especially when you want win.

3) Re: “Portugal should played nice because of A) NK players’ pride”, B) NK’s poor showing, C) it’s the nice thing to do”: In the world of competitive sports, the only thing I imagine being worse than a complete drubbing by an opponent is an opponent who holds back out of pity. I don’t think the NK players would have much appreciated being patronized by Portugal with intentionally kinder play. Besides, it's the World Cup, a competition that ostensibly decides who is the best team in the world, not in terms of mercifulness, but in playing ability. If you choose to field a team at the World cup and you get your clock thoroughly cleaned, well, that’s the gamble you made when you stepped onto the pitch.

4) Re: "Australians like to root for the underdog": Right. Like when the Aussie squad hammered American Samoa 31-0 in a 2002 World Cup Oceania qualification round match? ;-)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Burakumindesu - "Rooting for the underdog" is not an exclusive Aussie trait or term. It's natural for sportsfans the world over to do so. Nobody likes running a score up, either. (try it in hockey and you've got a brawl on your hands) But as long as goal differential counts, it happens. Even the Aussie team would do it in the world cup (if they could)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is just a sport, I do not understand why many people try to transfer their hate for a country's government to a soccer team.

I think it's absolutely fair to draw this line, especially when it comes to such a horrible outfit as North Korea. Imagine the propaganda and boasting that they'd be going one with if they'd won by that margin. And if their competitors were US/JPN or SK? If you think politics and sport shouldn't mix, then don't watch the Olympics either.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I was actually routing for NK to score at least one goal. My ultimate hope for them was that they won this match and eventually see them play Japan, S.Korea or the US. :P

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I didn't manage to catch this one but when I heard the score I was shocked! That's pretty sad... I don't agree with the idea that they should have played "nicer", since um, this isn't like a bunch of school kids having a good time in somebody's backyard. You go to the World Cup knowing you're going to be up against the best, and so... stuff like this is to be expected. Not that I don't feel sorry them, but Portugal did what they came there to do.

I always root for the underdog, and someone told me that's an American trait, haha. It must be worldwide then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

mrsynik/JoeBiggs: You guys really need to give it a rest. Be angry at the NK government all you want (despite probably having little or no actual experience with NK issues/Korean War), but don't blame the players for it. YES, the NK government would/could use it as propaganda, but again, that's the government. Rooting for Portugal because you like the team or want them to win is one thing, rooting against North Korea because you don't like the nation's government is entirely something else.

One of the most disgusting displays of this kind of attitude was VERY easy to see in 2002, when Japan lost and was eliminated, but the SK team went on ahead. Many Japanese I know at the time wanted Korea to lose solely because Japan lost, and this despite the fact that Japan was CO-HOSTING with said nation.

Again, keep it to the game. Politics can play a part when determining whom you choose to root for in a match between rivals, but when it dictates your entire attitude towards a sport, that's just a shame.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LFRAgain: "Umm, no, they didn’t. They played against a team that is ranked 105th in the world, and it showed."

Excellent point, and one in which a lot of 'fans' forget. Saying Portugal played an 'excellent game' is akin to saying the Canadian women's ice hockey team played an excellent game scoring 18-0 against Poland or something. While certainly not the case in THIS game, if anything NK should get a pat on the back for even making it through the door to begin with, let alone how it kept off Brazil.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you think politics and sport shouldn't mix, then don't watch the Olympics either.*

I agree. just because many here think that this is just a sport, there are those out there including the players that don't. Just because some people here feel pity for NK doesn't mean that they are any more right then those that don't.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good stuff from LFR.

North Korea lost because there were only 3 fans from their country.

And they were too busy eating the delicious grass next to the field to cheer their team to victory.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Honestly, I do think the North Korean team deserves a lot of credit for stepping into the World Cup ring after a 40-year absence. That takes guts and no small amount of effort, considering they had to qualify to get there in the first place.

I also think it's incredibly unfair to pin the sins of the North Korean government on a squad of footballers who have about as much to do with the North Korean political situation as we do. They're athletes playing a sport they love: Nothing more, nothing less.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

twinring: " Just because some people here feel pity for NK doesn't mean that they are any more right then those that don't."

Look at your comment.... you say 'NK', not the 'NK team'; you can't even distinguish between the nation and the sport, so what business do you have talking about what other people 'feel sorry for'? And heck, even if you DO want to talk about the nation instead of the team, do you not feel sorry for the people of NK for their moronic dictatorship? I sure do! but that's beside the point, which you have again missed (or rather, people who voice the same opinion have missed, and you, too).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

*

Look at your comment.... you say 'NK', not the 'NK team'*

Read my earlier post, I also say US, S. Korea and Japan when I refer to the other teams too so I dont know what you're going on about. Just because you are so particular doesn't mean that we all have to be grammar experts.

you can't even distinguish between the nation and the sport,

Read my earlier posts, then the response above.

so what business do you have talking about what other people 'feel sorry for'

Same business as you do for questioning my "business"

And heck, even if you DO want to talk about the nation instead of the team, do you not feel sorry for the people of NK for their moronic dictatorship? I sure do!

Thats your problem.

but that's beside the point, which you have again missed (or rather, people who voice the same opinion have missed, and you, too).

I havent missed anything. your getting on me for expressing my opinion, which you may or may not like, and quoting only the parts that you dont like as if I were talking directly to YOU! I could careless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

twinring: "I could careless."

I think you mean 'care less', but then it's clear you're pretty 'careless' with your posts. What's more, the correct expression is: "I COULDN'T care less", as though it's the least thing on your mind, not something on your mind while there are other things you care less about.

Teaching you yet again aside, I think it's sad you don't care one wit about the plight of the NK people, but at the same time decry its government. That's hypocritical to say the least. Regardless, we are talking about the sport of soccer (football) here, not your personal feelings about the North Korean leader misdirected on a soccer team.

I still think it funny that people will hate a team and/or sport simply because they dislike the government it comes from. If it were a meeting of politicians, I can see it, but as an international sport in which things can COME TOGETHER (as with the Sydney Olympics in which the two Koreas marched as one, for the first time ever since the war), such narrow minded people only prove to keep the separation as big as possible while pretending to care.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Eh, Burakumin San, Aussies and Kiwis go for the underdogs? That's true. But are so saying they never run up scores???

In 2003, Australia beat Namibia 142-0 in rugby. The All-blacks also beat the All-Blacks by 145 points in 1995.

But that didn't make Japan hate the Kiwis. They idolize the All Blacks.

Yeah, it was sad for NK, but sport is sport. If I had the honor of representing my country I would rather get beaten by the best by 7 goals than to be beaten by 4 points and have the world know that they felt so sorry for my team that they stopped trying. What should they have done -let some goals in?

Sport is a great thing. On day you get murdered, but a few years or decades later, when you win, its all the more sweeter.

For what it's worth I am vehemently anti- north Korea, but I like you was barracking for their soccer players to put on a good show. I think the best teams have a responsibilty themselves and their fans and the rest of the world to play to their best. Scoring goals is what soccer is about, and its the lack of goals that makes it boring to many people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But yeah, I felt sorry for the NK guys. But that's life.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good point about politics and sports. For many years the US and USSR had faced off in Olympic sports that no one but the players actually cared about, but when it comes to the most popular sport in the world, we're supposed to cheer "good sportsmanship."

I feel for the North Korean-born players, who will most likely end up in gulags. I hope they have the guts to defect. I, however, have no love for those two Japan-born hypocrites, Chong Tese and Ahn Younghak, who were born and raised in a democracy yet support a dictatorship because of "cultural values."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The North Koreans are done, which is a bit of a blow to the nature of the WORLD cup, but that's how it goes, and there are still a lot of teams left.

I hope Japan and SK can pull through and make it a WC worthwhile instead of all the usual European teams and Brazil.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Smithinjapan.

I hope so too. Im getting a bit tired of seeing the same countries winning.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Eh, Burakumin San, Aussies and Kiwis go for the underdogs? That's true. But are so saying they never run up scores??? In 2003, Australia beat Namibia 142-0 in rugby. The All-blacks also beat the All-Blacks by 145 points in 1995.

Yasukuni - I remember those rugby games. I think Marc Ellis scored something like 6 tries for the All Blacks! No - I agree - teams should not "pull back" on scoring as a show of mercy. I would try to score as many as possible. In fact, the Socceroos put 28 goals on (American?) Samoa about 10 years ago in a world cup qualifier!

I still root for the underdog though - heck, I'd sometimes root for a minnow against my own country ie if Kenya was playing Australia in cricket! I will be rooting for the Greeks vs Argies tonight - and for the All-Whites and Socceroos to somehow pull a victory out of the bag later this week... we can dream...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wouldn't it be fun if NK somehow managed to be picked as host of a future World Cup?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yasukuni, That's quite a feat, Al Blacks beatind themselves, and by such a large score too!

I too remember those games. My Japanese rugby mates still love the ABs,hell most of them can do the haka better than me!

Imagine if Portugal had pulled back, and North Korea had scored. Most of this discussion would be us calling them idiots. Felt sorry for North Korea, but also proud that they made it there and didn't give up.

LFRA again: The only way to get through to the Evil leader of North Korea is to let him know through sport and every thing else that we all think he is wrong. North Korea want to be part of the world, and take part in our sports events, then they have to play by our rules. Cheering for the NK soccer team sends the wrong message.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Article about our current discussion here: http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/extreme-reeducation-whats-in-store-for-north-korean-team-after-70-loss-20100622-yv09.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“Portugal played a brilliant/skillful/great game.” Umm, no, they didn’t.

Well, at least Portugal played a lot better than Brazil did against North Korea.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow, that was an amazing ..."typo"...Sorry Freudian slip.... actually the Kiwis do end up beating themselves sometimes in sports...

Burakumin Desu. Yeah I always go for the underdog. If its boxing or K1 I go for the old guy or the small one. And in soccer - always the non-European team. I'm not racist or prejudist or anything, but I want all the European teams to get beat.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As it was written:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=800032

North Korean television finally showed their national team's creditable 2-1 defeat against Brazil a full 17 hours after it finished, but in a rare treat for their people, the game with Portugal was broadcast live. I'm sure the seven Portugal goals were edited out to maintain the illusion that Kim Jong-Il's lads earned a creditable 0-0 draw in a game that curiously lasted about 75 minutes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Lunchbox,

"North Korea want to be part of the world, and take part in our sports events, then they have to play by our rules. Cheering for the NK soccer team sends the wrong message."

We're going to have to agree to disagree here. Sports and politics have no business being mixed together. The world lets Kim know he's wrong on so many other levels that an international soccer tournament, which at its foundation is friendly meeting of sports enthusiasts from around the globe, is hardly the venue for voicing political beefs.

The "talk loudly and carry a big stick" approach to North Korea's political leaders got the world what, exactly? Two nuclear bomb tests, that's what.

Besides, seeing the a North Korean sports team come out onto the world stage and get its clock cleaned was a pretty good message in and of itself to Kim that things in the DPRK aren't exactly perfect. And the the North Korean public (those of them with access to TVs, that is) got to see it unfold live.

With every sports tournament that involves real folks like the North Korean players getting out and meeting real people from around the world and seeing they aren't monsters, that's one more opportunity for a regular North Korean to take back to the DPRK ideas that maybe Kim's way isn't the right way. More flies with sugar than vinegar, and all that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wonder if the North Korean government will risk showing the next game live to the privileged few amongst their countrymen who have access to TV. You gotta know that the Ivory Coast will be gunning to knock in 7/8 goals themselves to give themselves a chance of going through to the last 16

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Was the game broadcast in its entirety or was it pre-empted for regularly scheduled programming when it became clear that NK was going to lose big? Must have been a shock but it's just a game. They can still hold their heads up high for being included in the WC and the good game against Brazil. Hopefully, the players are not punished, because they need to transfer their expertise onto the next generation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wonder how many North Koreans really got to watch this match?? They may have broadcasted it live but how many of them have a tv? How many of them that do have tvs have enough reliable electric power?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The two players born here probably couldn't make the south korean team anyway. Why the Japanese govt. puts up with these north Korean schools here is beyond me. If they love their beloved leader and country so much then they can bugger off back there. The same goes to anyone who diss a country that they have moved to. Born in Iraq, move to England but diss the English laws and community then bugger off back to Iraq.

Bloody glad to see the DPRK get their butts kicked. Any leader who lets 2,000,000 of his people starve whilst he lives in the lap of luxuary needs a bullet.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Those N.Korean players might as well skip their return flight, and try to find asylum some place, they are almost certain to executed for getting beat that bad, when they get back home....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And I thought Germany was cruel. I am no fan of Portugal anymore.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Dear leader Monchichi should be blamed for this loss. The coach of the team said he was getting instructions from dear leader during each game...LOL

Okay how many minutes do you give the player to live after they land home? I say they will get 3 top 5 minutes.....

Okay okay, I believe that ole Monchichi will try and spin this as a great victory for his nation. I bet he will claim that North Korea won the tournament and the team will get a state parade, well they will before being sent to their graves.....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites