North Korea's Japanese wonder strikes twice

• by Soccer America , May 25, 2010

[WORLD CUP WARMUPS] Don't write off North Korea as a hopeless underdog quite so quick. The Chollima held Greece to a 2-2 tie in one of three World Cup warmups played in Austria on Tuesday, all of which ended in ties.

Jong Tae Se -- the Japanese-born and -bred player dubbed the "Rooney of Asia" -- scored a goal in each half for North Korea, which gave Greece fits with their quick attacks.

"We picked this opponent because they have a similar playing style to the South Koreans," Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said. "We must take care because they were well prepared and disciplined."

Greece faces Argentina, Nigeria and South Korea in Group B.

North Korea is given no chance in Group G against five-time champion Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal.

RESULTS:
May 25 in Lienz, Austria
Georgia 0 Cameroon 0.
May 25 in Altach, Austria
Greece 2 North Korea 2. Katsouranis 2, Charistaes 49; Jong Tae-Se 23, 52.
May 25 in Wattens, Austria
Nigeria 0 Saudi Arabia 0.
May 25 in Dublin
Ireland 2 Paraguay 1. Goals: Doyle 7, Lawrence 39; Barrios 57
May 25 in East Hartford, Conn., 8 pm ET
USA 1 Czech Republic 1. Goals: Edu 17; Sivok 44.