World Cup participants Korea DPR have won the opening match at the 2009 Qatar Tournament, earning a 1-0 victory over Mali.
The competition is part of their programme ahead of the 2010 World Cup, where they will play in Group B alongside Greece, Argentina and Nigeria. Therefore playing against an African team is a good way of testing the African style of football in preparation to meeting Nigeria at the World Cup.
After a goalless first half, it was Yong-Jo Hong to score the only goal of the match in the 56th minute.
The Qatar Tournament consists of four teams, Mali, Korea DPR, Qatar and Iran, who will all face each other between this Sunday and next Saturday.
The other two teams at the tournament, hosts Qatar and Iran, start their campaign in Monday’s only match.