North Korea 1966: World Cup Qualification

Most football fans with any interest in the World Cup knows all about North Korea's amazing run during the 1966 World Cup. They were the first Asian side to make it to the quarter finals of he competition and beat Italy by a goal to nil on the way there. However, what is less well known is their qualification campaign.

For the 1966 competition FIFA decided that only one nation would go forward from Africa, Asia & Oceania. The 16 African nations were understandibly upset by this so withdrew from the tournament en masse, as did the South Koreans.

This left North Korea and Australia as the only two entrants and with Australia not recognizing North Korea as a country a neutral venue of Phnom Penh in Cambodia was decided upon.

The Australian team was largely made up of Brits, with only one of the side actually born in Australia. The Australian sides only competition in these years came against touring sides from Europe or infrequent matches against amateur sides in Australia. This World Cup qualifier in Cambodia was their first international match in 6 years.

And it showed. The North Koreans ran out 6-1 winners in front of 60,000 spectators. Pak Seung Jin scored two, Han Bong Jin also scored twice with the other goals coming from On Seung Hwi and Pak Do Ik (the man who would in the finals score the winner against the Italians).

The second leg, played three days later in the same city, was a formality with the Koreans winning by three goals to one. The Australians, comprehensively beaten, had to wait until 1974 before they finally made the last stages of the World Cup Finals.

The North Koreans travelled to England as rank outsiders and shocked the world with a creditable draw against Chile and a remarkable win against Italy. Unfortuantely the dream ended in the quarter finals as despite going three goals up in twenty five minutes the Eusebio inspired Portugese fought back to win an enthralling match 5-3.

North Korea (like England!) have failed to emulate their 1966 successes but they are finally on the road to recovery with some very good performances at youth and full international level.

NORTH KOREA QUALIFICATION CAMPAIGNS
1970 - Withdrew, refused to play Israel.
1974 - Failed to win preliminary group, finishing behind Iran and Syria.
1978 - Withdrew.
1982 - Despite winning preliminary group and knocking out Japan, North Korea knocked out by China 4-2 (aet)
1986 - Failed to win preliminary group, finishing behind Japan.
1990 - Reached final round but finished bottom of the final group (last six countries)
1994 - Reached final round but again disappointingly finished bottom of final group (last six countries)
1998 - Did Not Enter
2002 - Did Not Enter
2006 - Won preliminary group but lost out in second stage to Iran and Japan.
2010 - Currently second in the second group stage after beating Jordan away and gaining a creditable draw against South Korea.