National teams often display the characteristics of the country they represent: Germany are well organised and efficient, Brazil flamboyant and exciting. North Korea's footballers present an accurate reflection of the secretive communist state.
As fans in Abu Dhabi will see on Saturday evening, the team give little away, on and off the pitch, and have an undeniable feistiness with their backs to the wall.
Even with a game against the UAE seen as the best chance of picking up points in a tough group, Bruno Metsu, who very nearly became coach of South Korea in 2004, will not be expecting opposite number Kim Jung-hoon to go all out for a win.
Kim said after the draw was made: "With a good start we are confident that we can reach the World Cup. It will not be easy but we will try our best." That likely means drawing away and using the Pyongyang effect to get points at home, North Korea will keep things tight and look to counter-attack.
It worked in the previous round. The defence didn't concede a single goal in six games by playing five at the back - a red wall that proved as impenetrable as the 38th Parallel that separates the Korean peninsula.
The team and coaching staff are just as miserly with the media. Obligatory press conferences are usually brief and impromptu conversations difficult. They can be frustrating visitors. They can also be temperamental.
Iran will not quickly forget their trip to Pyongyang in March 2005 when the actions of the peeved Korean players on the pitch sparked a riot among the 100,000 fans at Kim Sung Il Stadium. Even last month, the team started a mass brawl against Tajikistan during the AFC Challenge Cup - a tournament entered to increase the international experience of their younger players. International isolation can distort learning curves, experience levels and Fifa ranking.
The striker Jong Tae-se doesn't have that problem as he plays for Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale. "North Korea's Wayne Rooney" was born in Japan to South Korean parents, but, as he was educated by a pro-northern school system, he chose to play for the North. Scoring 12 goals in 24 games in his first full J-league season, earned him a call-up.
In his first two international games, he scored eight times, albeit against Macau and Mongolia, before fine strikes against Japan and South Korea at the East Asian Championship in February.
Just behind on the field and in the fame stakes is the talented Hong Yong-jo. The Russian-based player, a danger from set pieces, has more of a free role and pulls the strings for the team. The goalkeeping position, so long a problem, is now ably filled by Ri Myung-guk.
An Yong-hak is another Japanese-born star of the team but the gangly midfielder now plays for South Korea's leading club team Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Relations between the two nations, technically still at war, are fairly friendly in the sporting arena but there will be no quarter asked or given when the two meet next Wednesday. That will also be the case on Saturday.
sports@thenational.ae
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Company%20profile
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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SCORES IN BRIEF
New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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Quick%20facts
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
AL%20BOOM
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THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.