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Photo: DPA

North Korean players struck by lightning, coach claims

Published: 29 Jun 11 08:24 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20110629-35949.html

North Korea's women's football coach has claimed several players played in the opening 2-0 World Cup loss to the United States on Tuesday suffering from the effects of being struck by lightning at a training camp.

"Frankly speaking, when we were having training and test matches before we left for this tournament, five of the players were hit by lightning and were in hospital," said coach Kim Kwang Min, through an interpreter in the post-game press conference.

"We had an accident in Pyongyang before we left for this tournament. Some of the players were left behind. Some were in hospital and came later. Until now they were not fully treated for the match."

In the most unusual day so far of the tournament, officials also announced Colombia goalkeeper Yineth Varon was kicked out of the competition after being suspended by FIFA's disciplinary committee for failing a doping test.

The 29-year-old missed Colombia's opening Group C game, which they lost 1-0 to Sweden in Leverkusen on Tuesday, after failing an out-of-competition test here last Saturday.

Germany will play its second match on Thursday against Nigeria, having beaten Canada on Sunday night to take the lead in Group A.

North Korea’s Kim said the lightning incident occurred on June 8. Kim added that the players most affected were the goalkeeper, four defenders and some midfield players - without naming them.

The coach said doctors had originally decided that they were not in a fit state to play but that they played anyway.

Kim also praised his players' performance under these circumstances.

"The fact that they played in this match is abnormal. It is the result of their very powerful and strong will."

The news hit FIFA media officials like a lightning bolt as well.

"It was news to us all," said FIFA media officer Julie Brown at the U.S. press conference when journalists asked for the Americans' opinions of the North Korean revelation.

AFP/djw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

09:53 June 29, 2011 by Jerr-Berlin
...evidently lightning also struck them in the second half eh...
10:01 June 29, 2011 by wood artist
At first I thought this was somehow being blamed on Germany. Fortunately my assumption was incorrect. I gather they were at practice somewhere in NK and didn't have the sense to leave the pitch when the weather went bad. Sounds fishy to me, but maybe it's just an explanation when Kim asks when they return home without winning, especially against the evil Americans.

wa
10:17 June 29, 2011 by freechoice
Doesn't matter!! They could always fake their wins!!

Search for North Korea won the world cup 2010 ! on YouTube!!!
21:03 June 29, 2011 by FIUMAN
I think the anti-American boos and hisses of the very European crowd at this game speaks VERY poorly of Germany.
21:44 June 29, 2011 by wxman
I was stationed in Korea several years ago and am more than familiar with the Korean female form, up close and personal. I can assure you that this team has a lot more in common with teams from the former GDR, if you know what I mean.
08:22 June 30, 2011 by MaKo
As excuses go, that's a pretty good one. Poor girls.
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