N. Korean soccer coach challenges ‘rough’ label ahead of $1 million final
Naegohyang Women's FC head coach Ri Yu Il (L) and forward Kim Kyong Yong speak at a press conference at Suwon Stadium on Friday. The team will play in the AFC Women's Champions League final against Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Photo by Yonhap SEOUL, May 22 (UPI) -- The coach of a North Korean women's soccer team pushed back Friday against suggestions his side plays overly physical soccer, one day before the team faces Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the final of a regional tournament in South Korea.
Ri Yu Il and his Naegohyang Women's FC will play Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the final of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League on Saturday afternoon at Suwon Stadium, some 18 miles south of Seoul. The winner will receive $1 million in prize money. When asked at a press conference how he would prepare for what was expected to be a "rough" match, Ri took exception to the question.
"I don't really understand the meaning of 'rough match,'" he said. "Since coming here, I have heard that expression from some of the opposing team's players and coaches in the semifinals. " Naegohyang defeated South Korean side Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semifinal Wednesday evening.
The match was competitive but not especially contentious, with North Korean players receiving three yellow cards and the South Korean team two. Naegohyang Women's FC defeated Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semifinal on Wednesday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI "Are you referring to a properly physical match, a game played with high intensity?
" Ri asked. "There is a referee, and if it's a foul, it's a foul, and if it's a warning, you get a warning. " "I don't think that expression is appropriate," he added.