Ri Myong-guk

Ri Myong-guk (born 9 September 1986 in Pyongyang, North Korea)[1] is a North Korean international footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Pyongyang City in the DPR Korea League.

Ri Myong-guk
Ri Myong-guk in 2010 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Date of birth (1986-09-09) September 9, 1986[1]
Place of birth Pyongyang, North Korea[1]
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Pyongyang City
Number 21
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006– Pyongyang City
National team‡
2007– North Korea 118[2] (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 17, 2019
Ri Myong-guk
Chosŏn'gŭl
리명국
Hancha
李明國
Revised RomanizationRi Myeongguk
McCune–ReischauerRi Myŏngguk
In this Korean name, the family name is Ri.

He 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".[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

Both his father and uncle were goalkeepers for the national team.[6]

References
  1. Ri Myong-guk at soccerway.com. Retrieved on 7 December 2015.
  2. "Ri Myong-Guk - Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. 7 February 2019.
  3. Chadband, Ian (2009-10-15). "North Korea's draw with Congo gives world glimpse of secretive nation's football side". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  4. "AFC player of the year 2009 nominees first list announced". Asian Football Confederation. 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  5. http://naenara.com.kp/en/society/?sport+1+3474
  6. "A day in the life of North Korean footballer Ri Myong-guk". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2014.


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