Asian Cup Players To Watch: Jong Tae-se

Name: Jong Tae-Se
Age: 26
Country: North Korea
Club: VfL Bochum
Position: Striker
Strengths: Insticts, Hold-Up Play

A man with a fascinating and slightly mysterious personal history that is reflective of the general level of secrecy surrounding the North Korean football team, as far as ability on the pitch goes Jong Tae-Se is fast becoming a known quantity.

Announcing himself to a global audience at the 2010 World Cup, Tae-Se has been called the ‘Asian Wayne Rooney’ and before securing a move to Germany with Bochum, was a star of the J-League with Kawasaki Frontale.


His instinctive qualities mean comparisons with the Manchester United superstar aren’t far wide of the mark. Tae-Se is particularly adept at using his physical strength to hold up the ball, while the goals he scores are usually done with a wonderful power.

Possessing an impressive vertical leap, he is as dangerous in the air as he is from range, capable of producing rasping efforts even with little space or time to compose himself.

A fierce competitor, he was born in Japan to South Korean parents – or North Korean, depending on your sources - and educated in North Korean state-funded schools.

DID YOU KNOW? Tae-Se decided he wanted to represent North Korea after seeing them fail to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Eventually securing for himself a North Korean citizenship he was allowed to represent the country of his choice by FIFA and has proved a hit ever since, famously breaking down into tears during the playing of the national anthem in South Africa.

Unafraid to give interviews and express his opinion, unlike his teammates Tae-Se is quick to speak his mind in public, having criticized his fellow players in the past.

He is perhaps the only well known player in a squad and country that are often shrouded in secrecy and his bright start to life in German football has only further seen his stock rise.

Given clearance to participate in the 2011 Asian Cup after it initially seemed he would be blocked from departing for Qatar by Bochum, his inclusion in the North Korean squad is a huge boost to manager Jo Tong Sop.