North Korea and Vietnam had their first victories at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon. During the first Group F match at the Incheon Football Stadium on September 15, the North Korean men's football team defeated China 3-0. Vietnam then also defeated Iran 4-1, an unexpected three-goal victory against the strongest team from the Middle East.

North Korea deployed So Hyon-uk and Ri Hyok-chol as its two center forwards in its 4-4-2 formation. In the midfield, Yun Il-gwang and Jong In-gwan were the wingers while Ri Yong-jik and So Kyong-jin were in the center.

Powered by well-organized team play, individual expertise and strong stamina, North Korea pressed China hard from the beginning. Just nine minutes into the match, striker So Hyon-uk threaded a pass from the left side of the penalty area and Sim Hyon-jin received the ball and used his right foot to score a goal. Encouraged by the first goal, the North Korean players used their various skills, including headers and volleys, to get more goals. In the 47th minute, So quickly sent a long shot from the penalty area to score the second goal. In the 56th minute, Ri Hyok-chol dribbled the ball from behind the defensive line and calmly put it past the Chinese goalie for the team's third goal.


The North Korean team played amidst cheers from a group of South Korean supporters. Over 300 people shouted words of encouragement, played small traditional gongs and drums, and waved the light blue and white flag of the Korean Peninsula. The supporters cheered loudly when North Korea continued its offense and sang "Arirang" together, the traditional folksong of both Koreas. During the after-match press conference, North Korean manager Yun Jong-su expressed his gratitude, saying, "The joint cheering squad cheered hard. I'd like to thank them for that."

On the same day, the Vietnamese team beat Iran 4-0 in the first match of Group H at the Wa Stadium in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province). Iran has been particularly strong in football during the Asian Games, having taken gold four times.

Vo Huy Toan scored the first goal in the 24th minute, followed by Mac Hong Quan who scored the second goal in the 28th minute. With Vietnam two goals up, Mohsen Mosalman of Iran scored a goal in the 66th minute in an attempt to catch up. However, only three minutes later Tran Phi Son scored the third goal and Ngo Hoang Thinh succeeded by shooting the fourth goal, leading to a three-goal victory.

Iran managed 15 shots on goal and dominated the game, but achieved only one goal. Vietnam had five shots on goal and succeeded in four of them.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr