Recently in Hong Kong one was able to witness one's first ever football '(unofficial) World Cup Final'! What's the story... This 'competition' runs an alternative to the FIFA World Cup, basically an Unofficial Football World Championship on an ongoing regular basis. It runs on an easy system - similar to that of Boxing - if you win against the current champion you become the world champion! This dates back to the very first international match - England v Scotland back in 1872. England won the match and they became Unofficial Football World Champions until they lost. A league table exists which tracks all time champions (Scotland are currently leading). You get a point for a win when you play in a World Champions Match and nothing for a draw. 
As a crazy football fan, this competition is an excellent alternative to the FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately until recently I never had the chance to see an actual UFWC match. Thanks to Australia drawing with North Korea, this meant that North Korea remained champions going into their recent match with Hong Kong.
So finally one could go to an Unofficial World Cup Final - amazing as I'm temporarily living out in Hong Kong
The youth in me hasn't left - I was very excited especially when I saw my match ticket and knew I was heading to basically an alternative World Cup Final.
The match was in Hong Kong Stadium close to Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. I headed there with a few friends for an amazing day out. It was 80 Hong Kong Dollars to enter (works out around 6.40 in UK pounds and $10.30 in US Dollars). The view is stunning. A backdrop of hills and creeping skyscrapers remind you this is Hong Kong!
If you've been to Hong Kong you will know that skyscrapers are as much a part of the city's culture as the traditional lunchtime meal Dim Sum. You can't help but appreciate the views everywhere you go in Hong Kong and the area that houses the national stadium here in no different.
But it was the football that we came for and despite Hong Kong holding out for the first half hour or so, they soon conceded 3 to give North Korea full control. Hong Kong did have some running and ideas in them but ultimately lacked skill and strength. In the second half North Korea added one more goal, to make the final score 4-0 and maintain the title of unofficial World Champions for North Korea.
North Korea looked a good side and worthy of their title as Unofficial World Champions but they still lost out to Australia in their place in the East Asian Cup Finals as the Aussies later hammered Taiwan (called Chinese Taipei for political reasons) 8-0!
There were actually a few North Korean fans at the match who I spoke to - they spoke English and had interesting stories to tell even though they are not actually North Korean they brought a flag along to support the team they support.
So why no photo of North Korea lifting the trophy? Because there isn't one. These are the Unofficial Football World Championships don't forget, but fun none the less!
My own country has won it 5 times before and are currently 29th - Northern Ireland. We are still the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup Quarter Finals.
As a crazy football fan, this competition is an excellent alternative to the FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately until recently I never had the chance to see an actual UFWC match. Thanks to Australia drawing with North Korea, this meant that North Korea remained champions going into their recent match with Hong Kong.
So finally one could go to an Unofficial World Cup Final - amazing as I'm temporarily living out in Hong Kong
The youth in me hasn't left - I was very excited especially when I saw my match ticket and knew I was heading to basically an alternative World Cup Final.
The match was in Hong Kong Stadium close to Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. I headed there with a few friends for an amazing day out. It was 80 Hong Kong Dollars to enter (works out around 6.40 in UK pounds and $10.30 in US Dollars). The view is stunning. A backdrop of hills and creeping skyscrapers remind you this is Hong Kong!
But it was the football that we came for and despite Hong Kong holding out for the first half hour or so, they soon conceded 3 to give North Korea full control. Hong Kong did have some running and ideas in them but ultimately lacked skill and strength. In the second half North Korea added one more goal, to make the final score 4-0 and maintain the title of unofficial World Champions for North Korea.
North Korea looked a good side and worthy of their title as Unofficial World Champions but they still lost out to Australia in their place in the East Asian Cup Finals as the Aussies later hammered Taiwan (called Chinese Taipei for political reasons) 8-0!
So why no photo of North Korea lifting the trophy? Because there isn't one. These are the Unofficial Football World Championships don't forget, but fun none the less!
My own country has won it 5 times before and are currently 29th - Northern Ireland. We are still the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup Quarter Finals.
About the Author:
To read other articles like North Korea remain Unofficial Football World Champions head to Jonny Blair's extensive travel and lifestyle site called Dont Stop Living for more travel, football and lifestyle tales.. Unique version for reprint here: North Korea Remain Football World Champions!.
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