North Korea has struck gold in its return to international sports competition after a five-year absence.

North Korea defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in the first match of Group F of the men’s soccer competition at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games at Zhejiang Normal University Stadium in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China on Monday.

With the win, North Korea topped Group F with a clean sheet in their first match. The DPRK will now face Kyrgyzstan in the second leg on Nov. 21 before closing out the group on Nov. 24 against Indonesia.

The first goal came in the seventh minute when North Korea’s No. 9, Ri Jo Gook, took a shot from outside the box after a simple passing play. The ball hit the defense, deflected, and went straight into the goal.

A second goal quickly followed. North Korea scored in the 12th minute of the first half when Kim Kuk-jin burst into the box and finished a cross from the right side with precision.카지노사이트

With the score at 2-0, North Korea settled into a steady pace, dominating the rest of the game. Chinese Taipei had a few chances in the box, but were unable to capitalize on them.

In particular, a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper in late stoppage time resulted in a shot that sailed high over the bar. In the end, the game ended in North Korea’s favor. Taiwan’s team of amateur and college players was no match for North Korea’s team of professional players who play in their own league.

It was the first international sporting victory for North Korean soccer in about five years. Since the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, North Korea has gradually drifted away from the international sports scene. The country was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19.

The ban was lifted in December of last year. North Korea is reportedly sending 191 athletes to the Games in 18 sports, including soccer.

North Korea could also meet South Korea in the tournament. South Korea is in Group E and North Korea is in Group F, so they will meet in the round of 16 if they finish first and second, respectively. The two teams previously met in the final of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Back then, South Korea won the gold medal with a 1-0 victory.