North Korea's midfielder An Yong-hak on Monday advised South Korean players to score the first goal in their last group match against Nigeria slated for Tuesday to advance to the round of 16, Yonhap News reported in Cape Town, South Africa.
The 31-year-old An, who previously played for South Korean clubs for three years, gave the advice after his team's tragic loss to Portugal, saying that the first goal would break Nigeria's confidence and lead the South to win the game.
The North had a friendly with Nigeria in early June, but Nigeria won 3-1.
If South Korea beats the African team, it will virtually secure the ticket to the knockout stage.
"Nigerian players are sturdy, and you should not concede a goal early on and boost their spirit," An told reporters after the crushing 7-0 defeat by Portugal in its second Group G match. "On the contrary, if the South scores first, the Nigerian players will be distracted."
With the defeat to Portugal, North Korea lost hopes of advancing to the round of 16.
"I have viewed the Brazil-Ivory Coast match yesterday. It seems that African players become tough and weaken if they lose a goal."
Brazil routed Ivory Coast 3-1 on Sunday.
He said that his team lost focus after losing the first goal in the first half in the match against Portugal, and advised South Korean players to never let the opponent score first.
An, now playing for Japan's Omiya Ardija, saw South Korea as strong enough to secure a ticket to the second round.
"It would be good if the North and South go up to the next round, but it's lamentable that it's now impossible."
1 | Debate heats up on earthquake emergency alert system |
![[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df16760dc50f469d93434f66a069465c.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/0eae35da5e9c40c38cf439e550a2eb3e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] INFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a3c3440b8dc84bce8ca94394a170fef2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
