Soccer: J-League duo Ri, An to represent N. Korea in WC qualifier

Asian Political News, Jan 18, 2005

TOKYO, Jan. 12 Kyodo

Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Ri Han Jae and Albirex Niigata midfielder An Yong Hak have been named to the North Korean national team for the upcoming final-round World Cup qualifier against Japan, the two J-League teams said Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Ri and 26-year-old An will leave Japan next Monday to take part in the training camp to be held until Feb. 3 at the ocean island of Hainan in China.

''To beat Japan and win a World Cup berth has been my dream. I'm really excited,'' said Ri at a news conference at Hiroshima Big Arch.

''I hope to be able to play and contribute to the team,'' said An in a statement issued by the team.

In the first round of the Asian zone qualifiers last year, An scored two goals in two matches and Ri scored a goal in one match appearance.

North Korea, ranked 95th in the world, will face 17th-ranked Japan Feb. 9 in the opener of the final-round qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup at Saitama Stadium 2002 before the two Pool B sides meet again June 8 in North Korea.

Archrivals Japan and South Korea, who reached the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup, were separated into two different groups as the top-seeded countries.