Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Osaka: As Monday's Asian final qualification round for the 2016 Olympics set to kick off Monday, lets take a look at DPR Korea, one of the participating teams hoping to make an appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 6th
AFC Women’s Ranking: 2nd
Olympic Games: Group Stage 2012, 2008
AFC Women’s Asian Cup (3): 2008, 2003, 2001; Runners-up 2010, 1997, 1993; Third 2006, 1999 Fourth 1991 Group Stage 1989
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Quarter-finals 2007, Group Stage 2011, 2003, 1999
TEAM PROFILE
Three-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions and winners of the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, DPR Korea are firmly in the hunt for a third consecutive appearances at the Olympics games in Brazil 2016.
Having featured at the last two Olympic Games, DPR Korea will be looking for a third consecutive appearance and improvement upon their two group stage exits in the Sydney and Beijing.
And success at the continental youth level last year will only increase the confidence of Kim Kwang-min’s side as DPR Korea finished runner-up at the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship and went one better at the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship after defeating Japan in the final.
KEY PLAYER
Top scorer in last year's EAFF Women's East Asian Cup-winning side prolific forward Ra Un-sim will be one to watch at the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Japan having netted at all levels of the women's game.
A champion and runner-up at the 2006 and 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with DPR Korea, Ra also saw action at the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and the experienced 27-year-old will be looking to an add appearance at the 2016 Olympic Games to her C.V.
COACH
Long-serving DPR Korea coach Kim Kwang-min has already overseen three AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaigns at the helm of his women’s national side and was a winner in the 2008 edition.
Also involved in the successful qualifying campaigns for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, the 53-year-old is well aware of what it takes to achieve success in the women’s game and will look for more of the same in the final round of the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.