Norwegian Success Story In North Korean Football

A former Norwegian footballer, who coaches the North Korean national side, wants to lead North Korea to the Asian Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates in 2019.

Jørn Andersen, 54, took over the role of head coach in May 2016. He managed eight clubs around Europe but never staying any length of time. In fact his longest stint at any club was his 44 game run as manager of Rot-Weiß Oberhausen of Germany.

He also spent a year in charge of Mainz 05, also in Germany.

After 11 months with Austria Salzburg, he took a few months off, then unexpectedly took over the top job for the very secretive nation of North Korea.

Anderson spends almost every day working in his new coaching role, living in the city of Pyongyang.

He said he has always been a fan of Asia, having worked with players from the region many times. Their attitude to the game impressed me, so it was a great opportunity for me when I was offered the chance to work in Asia.

Now it is fair to say that North Korea, may be the last place anyone would desire to play of manage in the world of football but the Norwegian appears to be thoroughly enjoying life there.

He has saw his side compete in eight matches since he took over the reigns, winning six, losing once with one draw.

Anderson, who was the Norwegian Premier League's top scorer in 1985, will have a tough task emulating the North Korean team of 1966, who famously reached the World Cup quarter-finals in England. They lost to the Soviet Union in their opening match by three goals to nil but they pulled off a shock one all draw with Chile. But the whole world was flabbergasted when they beat the Italians with the only goal of the match at Ayresome Park, Middlesburgh on the 16th of July, 1966. The goal came in the 42nd minute from Pak Doo-ik. When you consider that the Italians had a team full of household names, superstars of the game, such as Facchetti, Landini, Mazzola and the great Rivera, this was a result that rocked the world of football to its core and ultimately sent the Azzurri home.

They were knocked out in an excellent match against Portugal, losing five - three, with the legend Eusabio scoring a hat-trick for the victors.

The nation returned to the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa, alongside neighbours South Korea. But their venture was not as successful as in 1966. They began with a narrow defeat by a 2-1 scoreline to the mighty Brazil but then were taken apart by Portugal in an embarrassing 7-0 defeat. In their last group match, they lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast.

Of course it was allegedly reported in official North Korean media, that they had won the World Cup, a story that is difficult to corroborate.

So Mr Anderson has a mammoth task ahead of him if he is to take the North Koreans to that level of football once more.

But he is on track, having signed an extension to his original eight month contract, which will see him to the end of the Asian Cup qualifying rounds. If he succeeds in doing so, maybe he could get a crack at the 2022 World Cup qualifications too.

Anderson said he was surprised by the technical ability of his players when he arrived and believes his side can grow in strength. His biggest problem is finding quality opposition due to the countries political state. It is not easy getting friendly matches at home. They recently competed in The King's Cup in Thailand of course.

Source: Asian Correspondent

Content: TPVS