The wrath of Kim - North Korea look to appease leader

Nelspruit,SOUTH AFRICA - Many jokes have been cracked about what may happen to the North Korean team when they return home to face communist leader Kim Jong Il after their exit from the World Cup.

Following their 0-7 drubbing at the hands of Portugal, North Korea’s coach Kim Jong Hun insisted there would be no further consequences.

But he must be a little nervous about the reaction of the erratic Dear Leader whose puppet caricature fed former United Weapons inspector Hans Blix to sharks in ‘Team America: World Police’, a film by the South Park creators that some in the West believe may not be far off the mark.

The North Koreans have a chance to dim Kim’s wrath and avoid becoming shark food in their final Group G match against Ivory Coast - whose chances of qualifying are as remote as the Dear Leader embracing capitalism.

The two teams meet in Nelspruit Friday, and Kim (Jong Hun) is keen to overcome the disappointment for the sake of the fans he believes will be watching the game behind the mysterious veil of secrecy that envelops the Asian nation.

“Back home, I believe… they will be rooting for us to play well in our final game,” he said. “We will reinforce our mental abilities and prepare well for our final match.”

It won’t be just people back home who are rooting for North Korea.

Many have taken to the plucky side, who gave Brazil a tough time in their 1-2 loss and competed well with Portugal until the floodgates opened.

In defeat, their coach was dignity personified, and rumours of player defection also added to the interest around the team.

Portugal Coach Carlos Queiroz is one of those who will be supporting North Korea, and not just because it is in his team’s best interests.

Queiroz, who praised the communist nation for not resorting to dirty tactics despite the frustration of such a heavy defeat, believes North Korea deserve something from the tournament.

“I hope North Korea will be able to obtain at least one point in this World Cup, given their attitude and performance against both Brazil and Portugal,” he said.

The Ivory Coast can still qualify, but need a miracle to do so.

The West Africans, who can count themselves unlucky to have been landed in the Group of Death for the second consecutive World Cup, need to turn around a goal difference of nine - and that’s presuming Brazil beat the impressive Portuguese in Durban.

But The Elephants are holding out hope that they can somehow turn it around.

“We owe it to ourselves to win it and hope events go in our favour,” said defender Guy Demel. “Nothing’s over yet.”

But even with Didier Drogba back and playing in a specially designed cast to protect his fractured arm, there is little chance that Ivory Coast will join Ghana in representing Africa in the Round of 16.