Football: It was my fault, says North Korean coach
Posted: 22 June 2010 0516 hrs
CAPE TOWN: North Korean coach Kim Jong Hun took full responsibility for their humiliating 7-0 World Cup hammering by Portugal on Monday, admitting he got his strategy wrong.
After holding Portugal for almost half-an-hour, and even creating chances of their own, the Cholima collapsed in the second-half, unable to stop the carnage as they were eliminated from the tournament.
"In today's match, our players I think played to their full potential but tactically speaking it fell apart and we could not block their attacks and that's why they scored so many goals," said the poker-faced Kim.
"As a coach, it was my fault for not playing the right strategy.
"As they game went on, Portugal became more aggressive and after we conceded the first goal, the desire and wish to equalise led to my team's collapse."
The last 45 minutes was not a pretty sight for the Koreans, and their drubbing was made worse with the match broadcast live into their Stalinist homeland - the first live game shown there in a year.
Asked how he felt his countrymen would react, Kim said they would understand.
"Back home, I believe that they will look at our next game and they will be rooting for us to play well," he said.
"They will be encouraging us I believe. Though we will not be able to reach our objectives, we have one game left and we will reinforce our mental abilities and prepare well for that match."
North Korea are playing at their first World Cup in 44 years and they take on Ivory Coast in their final game as they bid to secure a point.
Kim said he would review his strategy and tactics for the Ivory Coast encounter on Friday.
"In the final match against Ivory Coast we will have to think over our strategy and tactics that will give us the best result there," he said.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz offered some encouragement to North Korea, who he said did their reclusive homeland proud despite the scoreline.
"I'd like to register my respect for the North Korean team whose players played in an extremely dignified manner from start to finish without fouling any of their opponents and with their heads held high," he said.
"I'd like to tell the North Korean coach that sometimes we have to face these results and I'd like to congratulate and give my respect to the North Korean coach."
- AFP/de
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