DPR Korea keen to avoid Iran

AFC - There's no doubt which team DPR Korea would prefer to avoid when the draw for the final Asian qualifying round is held on December 9 - and it's a team that hasn't even qualified yet.

No, not 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic.

The team they rate the best of the bunch is Iran, who failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan.

"In my opinion Iran is the best team," according to DPR Korea team leader and former FIFA referee Kim Jong-sik.

"They have good fitness and are fast moving. If we play Japan or China… maybe no problem. Our aim is to get into the top four of the next round and go to the World Cup."

November 17 is the sixth and last round for the eight groups, from which only the top teams advance to the final round.

Iran must beat minnows Laos at home to clinch Group 1 and book a place in the December 9 draw, when the eight teams will be drawn into two groups of four.

The top two in each final round group will qualify automatically for Germany 2006, while the two third-placed teams will play off for the right to meet a CONCACAF representative for another spot in the 32-team finals tournament.

Kim's comments were supported by Ri Hak-mu, who is with the delegation in Dubai representing DPR Korea's National Olympic Committee.

"In recent times, Japan and South Korea have been the strongest, but we have looked at and studied every team and we think Iran is better than the others," said Ri.

Whoever the North Koreans draw for the final round, officials are hoping for bigger attendances in Pyongyang next year for their three home games.

In Group 5, some 20,000 attended the DPR Korea-UAE game in March, but, said Ri, only around 15,000 watched the next two, against Thailand and Yemen.

"All the people thought the UAE was the strongest in our group," added Ri.

"We'll have to see what happens at the draw in December before thinking about next year's games."