Int'l Friendly : Nigeria - North Korea - 7M sport

Int'l Friendly : Nigeria - North Korea



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Posted Sunday, June 06, 2010 by Goal.com

The Super Eagles will have one final chance to tune up before the big kick-off...
 
On The Rise

The first ball of the 2010 World Cup will be kicked in less than a week’s time, and Nigeria, who want to make a splash in the first such competition to be held on African soil, are aiming to have any problems ironed out by the time the full-time whistle is blown on their friendly encounter against North Korea.

Traditionally one of the biggest hitters on the African continent, the Super Eagles endured something of a bleak period internationally of late. Berti Vogts, James Peters and Shaibu Amodu were a succession of coaches who failed to get Nigeria playing to their potential, but since the appointment of burly Swede Lars Lagerback, they have begun to soar once again.

Unbeaten in the warm-up games against Saudi Arabia and Colombia, the Africans are in confident mood, as portrayed by Nwankwo Kanu, who could become the most capped player from his country should the Super Eagles progress through the group stages in South Africa.

Looking ahead to the opening clash against Argentina, he mused: “The question is not how will we survive Argentina, but how Argentina will survive against us.”

But Sunday’s match is about getting a feel for the style of Asian teams, as the Super Eagles meet South Korea in their final group match, which may well be decisive.

Rank Outsiders

North Korea travel to South Africa as massive underdogs to lift the trophy, one of only three teams given a zero per cent chance of winning the competition by the Castrol World Cup predictor. Something of an unknown quantity outside their own continent, Kim Jong-Hun’s side will be aiming to prove critics wrong by at least being competitive.

With a squad that is almost wholly domestically based, there has been little chance for foreign sides to study the North Koreans in depth prior to the competition. Their friendlies will therefore be intently watched, and the recent 2-2 draw against Greece, in which the Asians battled back from a two goal deficit to snatch a tie will certainly have raised some eyebrows.

Rated at 105 in the FIFA rankings, there is not a team participating in South Africa who have less of a pedigree than the Choilima. Even New Zealand, whose chances of qualifying from the group stage have all but been discounted, are almost 30 rungs higher up the ladder.

Clearly there is a massive test ahead for a side who will look to history to provide inspiration. In the 1966 World Cup, the North Koreans provided one of the great upsets when they defeated Italy 1-0, progressing to face a much fancied Portuguese side. Having raced into a 3-0 advantage over a unit containing Eusebio, ultimately they would crumble losing 5-3.

If they can tell a story half as dramatic in three or four weeks, this vintage will likely have done a sterling job.

FORM GUIDE

Nigeria

DREW 1-1 (n) Colombia (Friendly, May 30)

DREW 0-0 (n) Saudi Arabia (Friendly, May 25)

WON 5-2 (h) DR Congo (Friendly, March 3)

WON 1-0 (n) Algeria (Africa Cup of Nations, January 30)

LOST 1-0 (n) Ghana (Africa Cup of Nations, January 28)

North Korea

DREW 2-2 (n) Greece (Friendly, May 25)

LOST 1-0 (n) Paraguay (Friendly, May 15)

DREW 0-0 (n) South Africa (Friendly, April 22)

LOST 2-1 (a) Mexico (Friendly, March 17)

LOST 2-1 (a) Venezuela (Friendly, March 6)

TEAM NEWS

Nigeria

Jon Obi Mikel was ruled out of the World Cup on Saturday morning due to a knee injury.

Ike Uche and Victor Anichebe were recently cut from the Nigerian squad, along with Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam, Ideye Brown, Bassey Akpan and Terna Suswan. Lagerback noted that this decision was based upon injury problems and form.

Uwa Echijile has an ankle sprain and didn’t train on Friday.

There may be a degree of rotation in the squad deployed on Sunday if the coach feels there are any minor tweaks needed.

Probable Starting XI: Enyeama; Odiah, Adeleye, Afolabi, Taiwo; Etuhu, Ayila, Haruna, Osaze; K. Uche, Yakubu

North Korea

Kim Myong-Won, a striker, has been registered as a goalkeeper and as such will only be allowed to play between the posts – a chore he will surely not take up over the course of his stay in South Africa.

Jong Tae-Se, who scored a brace against Greece in the recently friendly, will be the most potent attacking force in the East Asians’ unit.

Probable Starting XI: Myong-Guk; Jun-Il, Nam-Chol, Song-Chol, Kwang-Chon, Chol-Jin; In-Guk, Young-Hak, Nam-Chol, Yong-Jo; Tae-Se

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nigeria

Lukman Haruna has flitted in and out of form for Monaco in France this season, but there can be little doubting the potential of the young midfielder. The teenager scored his first international goal in Nigeria’s last outing, striking a leveller midway through the second half to ensure parity against Colombia. A similarly influential performance would be most welcome.

North Korea

Kim Yong-Jun has not always found game-time easy to come by in the North Korean setup, but that should not be allowed to reflect negatively on him as a footballer. A talented midfielder who is very much a leader on the field, marshalling those around him and keeping his side energised. Fantastically industrious and tipped by Goal.com’s John Duerden to shine in South Africa given the chance.

PREDICTION

Unbeaten as yet in their warm-up matches, Nigeria should be able to maintain their positive run against a North Korean side not of their calibre. Dogged defensively, the Asian outfit will undoubtedly do their best to stifle the Africans, but Lars Lagerback’s side should prove too good in the end, even if they are not going full tilt.

Nigeria 1-0 North Korea



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