North Korean women foot ball players who chalked up a silver victory in the 13th Asian Games are determined to complete their first challenge to the coming World Cup with their higher ranking, ousting long-time rival, China, with their potential shown in Bangkok.

The north Korean women succor team booked a place among 16 to the third World Cup to be held in summer in the U.S., after winning a silver in the 1997 Asian Women's Soccer Championships. Chinese and Japanese teams, both qualifiers in the last world cup in Sweden, also gained their berth to the U.S. meeting.

A prospect is bright for north Korean players since the results of China as a fourth and Japan as one of the top eight teams in the 1995 World Cup shows that there is a possibility of the north Korean eleven grabbing a medal.

Though it will be their debut in the World Cup, north Korean players have already proved their ability in the Asian Games last year.

The DPRK players exceeded their rivals in technique, strategy and physical ability in the Games, and especially their adherence to a ball was remarkable.

The team as a whole functioned well in the Bangkok meeting, centering on forwards Chin Byul Hui and Kim Kum Suk, and defender Kim Sun Hui. Among them, the eldest player Kim Kum Sil (27), a team controller, demonstrated her toughness to the highest degree, scoring a hat trick to oust their Japanese competitors.

To gain more experience in international games, the north Korean eleven made a playing tour of Germany last year, where they secured two victories over three German top teams.

"I think we received too much care from our country when it is in great difficulties. I have confidence in gaining a higher rank than others in the World Cup," said midfielder Kim Song Ryo with high spirit.

The north Korean players will face world-top strikers in the World Cup, but their main target is their long-time rival China, which has blocked north Koreans from a golden title in the past regional games each time.

Though strong, the Korean forwards somewhat lacks "greediness" in games and defenders are open to attack due to momentary unpreparedness. These weak points turned into their defeat in the Asian Games when the Chinese players blasted a winning shot in the extra time in the final. But now the strong feeling of chagrin prompts the players to resolve to "give no more goal to China."

The Chinese players are ranked second in the Atlanta Olympics next to the US, and enjoy fame as a stronghold of women soccer. The Asian champion is advantageous in that most players in their thirties are very well experienced. However, Korean players are confident that the day of Korea will come soon.

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