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North Korea Football Federation joined FIFA in 1958 and by 1960s, with the financial support of the then Soviet Union, football was flourishing. The players played their first international in Rangoon against then Burma on 22 March 1964.
Still, mystery is the word often associated with North Korea. In football though, the country has shared its passion with the world, particularly for a moment of history in 1966. Until the heroics of their neighbour in the 2002 FIFA World Korea/Japan, North Korea remained the most successful Asian side at the World Cup level.
Arriving at the St.George Airport Hotel to play the eight FIFA World Cup in 1966, no one gave them a ghost of a chance, especially after an opening match thrashing of 3-0 by the mighty Russians.
What a deception that turned out to be as the North Korean side drew with Chile, humbled the Italians and almost defeated Portugal in the quarter-finals, if not for a star called Eusebio.
Till this day, many remember the North Koreans for this feat. Unfortunately though, the game which has deep roots in North Korea, being played way back in the 6th century, has never quite made a similar impact since 1966.
Their last appearance in FIFA World Cup qualifying was in 1993, when they were mercilessly knocked out with four straight defeats and one win in the final qualifying round for Asia. Even at the Asian level, the team, lacking in experience and international exposure is struggling to impose itself.
However, they are already signs of changes. Its U17 youth team just narrowly lost to China PR in the 2004 Asian U17 Championship. In addition, the senior side now has a chance to repeat the heroics of 1966 as they are among the eight teams in Asia battling for the give spots to Germany 2006.
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