Salvage mission for North Korea

Kim: Refusing to give up

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North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun wants his side to restore lost pride against Ivory Coast on Friday.

The Asian outfit are already destined to be on the first plane home from this summer's World Cup, with two defeats in Group G seeing them fall at the first hurdle.

They won many admirers for the manner in which they performed during a 2-1 defeat to Brazil, but saw all that hard work undone during a 7-0 hammering by Portugal.

North Korea do, however, still have one game remaining and are determined to bow out on a high.

"We did concede a lot of goals against Portugal but we are going to fight hard with Ivory Coast and it will be a way to avenge ourselves and restore our honour and do our best in the game," said Jong-hun.

"I can say that our confidence level has been restored again."

Tactics

Despite the disappointing showing against Portugal last time out, Jong-hun has hinted that he could keep faith with those who buckled so spectacularly.

"The result of the Portugal game was not that good but that does not mean it will necessitate major changes," he added.

"We will continue to play in the same way as we have up until now and if needed I will substitute players, but we intend to play our normal game regardless of the situation.

"I think we might go on the attack and then again we might go for defence, it depends on how the game flows.

"I will make my tactical decisions from what I see taking place on the pitch."