[News] North Korea Players nowhere to be found?

UPDATE:

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Football's world governing body FIFA on Friday denied rumours that four North Korea players listed as no-shows for their World Cup match against Brazil have gone missing in South Africa.

FIFA said it had "no information" that the four players had gone missing, amid reports they may have tried to defect.

The official teamsheet for the North Koreans' 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Tuesday listed substitute goalkeeper Kim Myong-Won, An Chol-Hyok, Kim Kyong-Il and Pak Sung-Hyok as "absent".

"We have no information that the players may have disappeared," a FIFA spokesman said.

"Our liaison officer with North Korea hasn't signalled anything to us."

The North Korean team is expected to hold a press conference in Johannesburg at 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday, ahead of their next match against Portugal in Cape Town on Monday.

An official at the South Korean embassy in Johannesburg said it had not picked up any out-of-the-ordinary movements regarding the North Korean squad.

Media access to the players from one of the world's most reclusive nations has been extremely restricted since they arrived in South Africa to contest their first World Cup in 44 years.

In their only previous appearance at the finals, at the 1966 tournament in England, they created one of the biggest shocks in World Cup History by beating European giants Italy.

The World Cup is always a fascinating tournament as it constantly supplies moments of drama, genius and the absurd as FIFA have no idea of the whereabouts of four North Korean players.

Kim Myong, Kim Kyonh II, Na Chol and Pak Sung Hyok have literally disappeared as the four where nowhere to be found when North Korea took to the field in their Group G opener against the five-time champions Brazil.

A spokeperson from FIFA has admitted that they are also in the dark as to where the players could be because no one from North Korea has relayed the status of the players in question.

No comments or statements have been issued from the North Korea camp and the location of the four will remain a mystery until then.

source:news.yahoo ; portugoal.net

This is weird. Korea known to have skillful soccer players, or shall i say at Koreans loved this sport very much. Being all hype every time SKorea battles with other country, where on this world these 4 players have been? Plus the fact that their whereabouts can't figure out. It's disappointing. Playing in a World Cup is such an honor. Being in the game is one country should be proud of. Qualifying in World Cup is not that easy.

shaynekay@ekoreablog