Pak Doo-ik

Pak Doo -ik ( born March 17, 1942 in Pyongyang ) is a former North Korean football player. As another birth and December 17, 1943 is called.

He gained international fame when he met North Korea 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 1966 against Italy and thus caused one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Life

Little is known about his life off the field. He was born in 1942 in the North Korean capital. After leaving school he learned the profession of dentist's. He also played football ( at SC Pyongyang ) and was discovered by coach Myung Rye -hyun. The players who were in the squad for the World Cup, had to join the army. So Pak Doo -ik was a military doctor. The team trained for a year deposited in an army camp before the World Cup.

The fact that North Korea at the World Cup ever took, was like a miracle and was only possible after tough negotiations. Thus, the British refused, since they led to the country no diplomatic relations, to play the anthem of North Korea. It was agreed to play only a march before each game.

The underdogs lost the first preliminary round match 0-3 against the USSR and played draw against Chile (1-1). Before the last group match against the pros from Italy North Korea's early trip home already seemed inevitable.

Pak Doo -ik, which ran aground at this World Cup in every game for his team, but scored the only goal of this meeting - had to leave the big favorite Italy. He later reported that he had first stepped unwittingly into the ground and therefore be deceived opponent had slipped. Pak scored one of the kick went wide.

The game in the quarterfinals lost North Korea then to 3-0 lead but with 3:5 against Portugal.

In return, the heroes of the team were honored and overwhelmed with orders. Some resigned from the army, others remained in her. About what happened after that there are various rumors. For years, stayed in Korea the rumor that Pak Doo -ik and the other players were sent to a labor camp, because of excessive drinking and womanizing. These rumors are, however, denied by the players.

In the television documentary The Game of Their Lives, he was one of the main characters. Pak Doo -ik lives today remains in Pyongyang, continues to be a doctor, married, and has one son. Overall, he played 82 international matches. He visited in 2002 with seven other teammates from 1966 again England.

During the Pyongyang station of the torch relay of the 2008 Olympics, he was the first who was allowed to carry the Olympic torch through the streets.