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.   Supported by a few dozen of compatriots, North Korea intensified their attacks and the hard efforts finally paid dividends. They struck the first blood in the 54 th minute when Ri Yun Mi came off the bench to deliver a pass for Ra Un-sim who generated a blast from the left kick to beat Russian goalie Kristina Slashinina.

    As soon as the final whistle was blown, the North Korean players cried happy tears and leaped into the air in escapade. They along with chief coach Kim Myong ran up to the stands to hug supporters, also so emotional.

    Chief coach Kim Myong, like his girls, was overwhelmed with the valuable gold medal which came at a time when people back at home needed something to cheer them up after the torrential typhoon rain lashed the country on July 10. Reports said thousands of people were dead or missing because of the natural catastrophe.

    "I'm so happy that my team won this gold medal as it meant a lot for us as well as people in my country,'' said Kim, who is a soccer coach at the Kim Chol-in University, through an interpreter.

     "The flooding devastated homes and people are really suffering. I hope that this medal will encourage the people to join hands and get through this situation. I hope the whole country will try to clear up these damages,'' added Kim who also devoted this gold medal to Kim Jong-il, the country's leader.

     He also paid compliments to his players who had to forget about the tragedy at homeland to concentrate on the match. 

    "They played well throughout the game. They stuck to the game plan by attacking and remained solid on the defence,'' the delighted coach said.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation