Kim Jong-Hun wants to upset Portugal or Ivory Coast following North Korea's narrow defeat to Brazil.
North Korea coach salutes side despite Brazil defeat
North Korea coach Kim Jong-Hun has set his sights on upsetting Portugal or Ivory Coast following their narrow defeat to Brazil in Group G.
The Asian minnows were expected to be cannon-fodder for the five-time World Cup winners but produced a well-drilled defensive display to only suffer a 2-1 setback at a chilly Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Chollima, whose nickname refers to a mythical winged horse, held Brazil's star-studded line-up during the opening 45 minutes and created chances of their own.
Maicon finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute with a cross-shot from a tight angle before Elano added a second following Robinho's slide-rule pass.
North Korea had the final say when Ji Yun-Nam latched onto the impressive Jong Tae-Se's knockdown to burst into the area and fire beyond Julio Cesar.
Fought
And coach Jong-Hun feels his players have proved they are not the pushovers some pundits predicted and will cause further problems for Portugal and Ivory Coast, who drew 0-0 earlier in the day.
"The Brazilian team is very strong and although we were unable to win the game, I felt my players fought very well," he said.
"We had to wait until the end of the game to score, but in the first half the players carried out the game plan very well.
"We managed to fend them off whether they were attacking down the wings or through the middle.
"We didn't win, but we have picked up some confidence and I think we will do well in the next two games."
