Friday, Jun. 25, 2010

The Crying Game

He's known as the "People's" Wayne Rooney, but surely North Korean striker Jong Tae Se went one further than his English counterpart ever would when he couldn't stop crying during the playing of North Korea's national anthem. It was a rare show of emotion from a citizen of a country not known for wearing its heart on its sleeve. It was simply too much for the 26-year-old, as he and his teammates were the first North Koreans making a Cup appearance since the boys of 1966, who memorably got as far as the quarterfinals. No such luck this time around, but their tenacious performance against the mighty Brazil — the game was goalless at the break and North Korea managed to score in the eventual 2-1 defeat — might have made Jong not the only North Korean to shed tears of pride.