North Korea qualify for the World Cup… watch out Italy!

Allow the über-wooden Bryan Robson to refresh your memory

Prepare to read bizarre press releases citing a Western hegemony and anti-communist conspiracy for a group stage World Cup exit: North Korea have qualified for South Africa.

A 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia secured North Korea’s first World Cup qualification since 1966. During that tournament, the Koreans gained legendary status on Teeside after securing a famous 1-0 victory over Italy at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park.

Members of that squad still occasionally return to visit Middlesbrough, and one remains tangled in a goal-net near to the former site of Ayresome Park.