The following teams have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [North Korea], The Republic of Korea [South Korea], Japan, Australia, Netherlands, and South Africa. While there will be more countries that may qualify, it would be great to discuss the teams that have qualified and their players but the two Korea’s deserve a special mention since they may face each other in the 2010 World Cup..

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or North Korea has qualified after Iran’s failed attempt to defeat South Korea. In its qualification game, it drew against Saudi Arabia. It is a historic first since the last time North Korea played in a World Cup was in 1966. It defeated Italy in the 1966 World Cup held in England. The defeat of Italy by the North Koreans left many Italians with raw emotions that they performed acts of repudiation against the Italian National Team by pelting eggs and tomatoes on their return.

The coach of the North Korean National Soccer Team Kim Jong-Hun is confident of its participation in the 2010 World Cup. The examples of the top scorers and players of the North Korean team are Hong Yong Jo, Jong Chol Min, and Pak Chol Min. Hong Yong Jo has participated in two qualifiers in the year 2006 and 2010. He has played 22 matches, with 9 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses, 8 goals for, 0 goals against, and one yellow card.

Jong Chol Min participated in the under 17 and under 20 World Cup Final in the year 2005 and 2007 before participating in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He has played 9 matches with 3 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses, and 4 goals for. Pak Chol Min has also participated in nine matches which were the under 17 and under 20 World Cup finals as well as the 2010 World Cup. His record is the same as Jong Chol Min.

The Republic of Korea or South Korea has also qualified for the 2010 World Cup and it is a force to be reckoned with. The top scorers are Park Ji Sung, Park Chu Young, and Kim Do Heon. Park Ji Sung has participated in the Confederations Cup, World Cup Qualifier, World Cup FInal, Olympic Football Tournament Final, and plays for the English Premier League Team Manchester United. He has played 36 matches with 21 wins, 9 draws, 5 losses, 8 goals for, and 3 yellow cards.

Park Chu Young participated in the World Cup Finals. He also participated in the   World Cup Qualifiers, the Olympic Tournament Final, and the 2010 World Cup Final. His record has been 24 matches played, 9 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses, 8 goals for, 1 goal against, and 1 yellow card. Kim Do Heon has participated in the Olympic Football Tournament Final and the World Cup Qualifiers with 17 matches played with 6 wins, 8 draws, 3 losses, 5 goals for, and one yellow card.

It is going to be interesting how the two Korea will fare in the 2010 World Cup and they are the teams that will be worth watching.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootb all/statisticsandrecords/playe rs/player=237151/index.html

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootb all/statisticsandrecords/playe rs/player=203808/index.html

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