The Football World Cup Site

South Korea and Portugal former coach Humberto Coelho has stated in recent days that teams in the 2010 World Cup should not underestimate North Korea. The former Benfica hero was at the helm of Portugal in the 2000 European Championships prior to taking over from Guus Hiddink in South Korea in 2002. Recently he almost guided Tunisia to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, with only a final day loss to the hands of Mozambique in November preventing their qualification.

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Coelho will be following with a passionate interest his national side of Portugal as the ‘Group of Death’ progresses in June. Portugal, Brazil the Ivory Coast and North Korea make up the group and although North Korea are undoubtedly the under dogs, Coelho has reiterated that they should not be under estimated and a shock is possible.

Of North Koreas chances Coelho said “Asian football is a very generous type of football, the players may lack the technical skills, but they’re not selfish and are usually well conditioned and tactically very aware. I believe that the surprise may actually come from North Korea, so therefore we need to be careful and remain focused when playing against them.”

Tags: 2010 World Cup, north korea