North Korea have been given a boost by a long-time political ally with the news that hundreds of Chinese football fans have flooded into South Africa in support of the beleaguered nation.
According to reports from Reuters, a ‘volunteer army’ of Chinese fans have arrived in Johannesburg ahead of the isolationist country’s glamour clash against Brazil tonight in Ellis Park.
“The Chinese will support North Korea,” said Wang Qi of the China Sports Event Management Group. “They may surprise and we come here with a view that something magical might happen.”
North Korea granted permission for tickets to be sold to Chinese fans as few North Koreans were able to travel for the tournament.
The last time the North Koreans attended a World Cup was in 1966 – when they narrowly lost out to a semi-final spot after being beaten 5-3 by Portugal.
