2011 Women's World Cup Preview - Korea DPR

Jun 25, 2011 - 9:52 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - North Korea is hoping to finally get over the hump in its fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup appearance this summer in Germany.

The country's first two appearances produced little, with the team advancing to the quarterfinals in the last World Cup.

Korea, which has claimed the Asian crown in three of their last five attempts, only missing the final in two of seven tournaments dating back to 1995, hopes to advance to at least the semis in this summer's tournament, which won't be an easy task.

The club was drawn with the United States, Sweden and Colombia in Group C, so getting out of the group stage will be job No. 1.

It will be up to coach Kim Kwang Min, who has been with the club since 2005, to maintain the team's reputation for strong work ethic and organization.

"We believe we have a bright future," he said after the 2010 Asian Cup. "Our players have taken a great opportunity to get experience and we can develop more from the experience we have gained at the Asian Cup."

The Korean team is also known for its fitness, and should provide a tough test for the more stationary clubs in the tournament.

The team has lost a number of its older players from the quarterfinal berth in 2007, with striker Ri Kum Suk being the biggest one.

Midfielder Jo Yun-Mi is currently the key to Korean team, running it from the midfield while contributing key goals. She earned the Most Valuable Player award at the 2010 Women's Asian Cup when she scored just three goals.

Kim Kyong Hwa is Yun-Mi's sidekick in the midfield, and the one-two punch could help key a surprising run in this summer's tournament.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:

-- FIFA World Cup qualifier: 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011.

-- FIFA World Cup quarterfinals: 2007.