North Korean footballer
Ri Myong-guk (born 9 September 1986)[1] is a North Korean former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Ri was known for his positioning and reflexes and spent his entire playing career at Pyongyang Sports Club in the DPR Korea League. Ri was also the captain of the North Korea national team, making 118 appearances, more than any other player in the team's history, before retiring in 2019. Ri is currently the goalkeeper coach for his former club.[3]
Career
Ri played 15 matches in 2010 World Cup qualifying for Korea DPR, including keeping a clean sheet in the decisive final group game against Saudi Arabia. After the match, he stated "I felt like I was defending the gateway to my motherland".[4] His performances also saw him nominated for the 2009 Asian Footballer of the Year award. Ri was Korea DPR's first choice in goal in FIFA World Cup 2010. He played all Korea DPR's three World Cup matches including 7–0 loss to Portugal.[5]
He played more than 100 official matches for his national team since his debut in 2007, making him the most capped player in the history of Korea DPR.
He was named the DPRK's best male footballer for three years running, in 2014, 2015, and 2016.[6]
Both his father and uncle were goalkeepers for the national team.[7]
Honours
North Korea
Individual
See also
References
External links