By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The Opener between dark horses at the FIFA U-17 World Cup will draw world football fans' attention to South Korea.
Mysterious North Korean U-17 football squad, who was veiled but has shown up on the world football stage recently will take on powerhouse England in the first preliminary match of Group B at Seogwipo World Cup Stadium in Jeju at 2:00 p.m.
The young North Koreans, led by manager An Ye-gun, arrived in South Korea on August 7, becoming the first visitor among participants and have trained in secret including two closed-door friendly games.
It is a surprise that England is qualified for the 22-year competition, which has been held biennially, for the first time.
In terms of the motherland of football joining the youth world cup for the first time, much more interests are drawn into the opener.
Because of that, the English team whose manager is John Peacock will strive to retrieve its reputation at the event.
Along with North Korea and England are grouped favored Brazil and New Zealand in Group B.
Although the European nation is considered to be a sleeper due to its no history at this World Cup, its recent friendly matches revealed the English side is equivalent to contending the title.
Forward Victor Moses, who found the net three times in the qualifying round, leads the team.
The 16-year-old's brilliant displays helped England defeat the Netherlands 4-2.
England defeated South Korea 4-0 in a closed-door match last Saturday and it will go all-out against North Korea assuming it will have an easy win over New Zealand in that the Korean side had a 4-0 win over the Oceanian country.
The North also finds itself in the same position as England.
As it will be improbable to beat three-time winner Brazil, they must win over England to achieve its pre-tournament goal of advancing to the semifinal.
Although England is estimated to have a slight edge over North Korea, the North side has been on the rise recently, setting good marks.
At the previous contest in Peru, they reached the quarterfinal, where they had a 1-3 defeat by Brazil, in their first appearance and in the final of the qualifying round for the World Cup, they lost to Japan 4-2 despite a 2-0 lead.
They take advantage of a 4-4-2 formation and pressure opponents from the midfield with good athleticism of players. They like to break to the sides as do the South Korea.
Their strategy is strengthening defense and midfield while pursuing a counterattack. They also depend on long passes for a fast break in transition from defense to offense.
Forwards Ri Myong-jun and An Il-bom have the instinct to complete a goal to attack England's area.
In addition, Jeju citizens' rooting will be an x-factor to the North Korean players in facing England.
``The players are excited because it's their first World Cup. ``They are very, very proud to represent their country and needless to say, all the people back home are eagerly looking forward to the team's triumphant return.
``So far, the players have been preparing well. I am very confident that we will qualify from the group and that we will defeat England in the opening game. I am hoping that we qualify for the semi-finals,'' North Korean manager An said.
Meanwhile, the opening match will be aired to North Korea live.