- North Korea football success highlighted
- Overcoming pandemic, aiming Olympics
- DPRK-Japan crucial match anticipated
Some may be surprised to learn that North Korea is ranked among the top 10 of the world’s best women’s football teams, surpassing countries such as Australia and Brazil. However, the Eastern Azaleas, who are ranked tenth, will attempt to solidify their position as one of the best teams by defeating Japan in a two-legged Olympic qualification playoff next week in order to advance to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Following a four-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, North Korea, also referred to as the DPRK, has regained its esteemed ninth position in FIFA and is exhibiting signs that it is once again capable of emerging as a regional powerhouse.
Indeed, the team possesses a distinguished past, and it is frequently questioned how this isolationist nation has cultivated such a formidable athletic force. In order to provide a comprehensive response, it is imperative to analyse the broader societal implications of women’s football in the DPRK and the significance of qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012.
A personification of national values
Santa Kong, 21 December 1989: After their debut against China, the future supreme commander Kim Jong-il expressed his admiration for the women’s football team. The day’s 4-1 defeat had little impact on the optimism of the second-in-command at the time.
“It is imperative that women’s football be developed. The abilities of our women’s football team have increased marginally in recent times. ‘They could potentially win international competitions in the near future if they continue to work diligently,'” he said, as cited in the book Bukan Cheyuk Jaryojip, which examines North Korean sports.
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During this period, the women’s game was experiencing a global state of underdevelopment. The DPRK has historically encountered obstacles in the realm of men’s football, and they recognised a potential opportunity in the women’s squad. Considerable resources were allocated, and the foundation was established for a North Korean team that could achieve success on an international level.
Sport as a Political Showcase
Political agendas continue to be intertwined with sport in North Korea. Typically, a representative side of a nation that demonstrates potential for global triumph is exhibited to the domestic populace as an embodiment of its strength, thereby enhancing public morale and trust in the governing authority.
Gradually, the strategy produced extraordinary outcomes. They have won three East Asian Championships, three Asian Cups, and three Asian Games to date. Their victory in the 2006 Under-20 Women’s World Cup represents arguably the zenith of their remarkable history. In addition to maintaining a high FIFA ranking, their success in regional competitions enabled them to reach an all-time peak of fifth place in the middle of the 2000s.
They are distinguished stylistically by their physical prowess and tactical rigour. Youth football players undergo exceptionally rigorous training. This facilitates continuous development of technical prowess and football intelligence. One can discern a parallel in the execution of play and North Korean ideology. The persistent proclamation to its populace emphasizes militaristic ideals. Kim Jong-un’s willingness to continue this path amid political and economic upheaval is unsurprising.
The auspicious trajectory that lies ahead
Their form since returning to action has been, to put it mildly, remarkable. 10 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss—4-1 to Japan in the 2023 Asian Games final—in 12 matches.
Recent achievements include a 2-1 victory against China and a 4-1 triumph over South Korea. They also scored double figures in four matches. The DPRK have rekindled their strength, as evidenced by the upward trajectory of their projectile.
However, the mission at hand is difficult. Despite crucial player injuries, Japan is capable of fielding a formidable squad replete with world-class talent. Many Nadeshiko play in elite football levels, whereas the North Korean team plays only domestically.
The Asian Football Confederation has mandated that the home leg of the North Korea match be conducted outside of the country due to the absence of direct flights between the two nations. In light of this, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been quickly designated to host the match. Japan faces significant logistical obstacles as a substantial portion of their population must endure lengthy journeys. Notwithstanding North Korea’s 4-1 defeat at the Asian Games, three of Japan’s goals were scored within six minutes. A post-mortem examination will have been conducted on this momentous oversight.
Japan enters the contest as the favourite, but the outcome is anything but certain. Based on the available evidence, it appears that this team is a DPRK side operating at maximum efficiency. They are motivated by formidable underlying goals.
