North Korea on the time secured their participation in three consecutive Asian Cups, the 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions. However, North Korea performed poorly in both tournaments: North Korea obtained only one point in the 2011 edition, a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates, and had suffered eight consecutive game losses in the tournament following the draw. In that shortcoming era, North Korea appointed the country's first foreign manager since 1993, when Norway-born Jørn Andersen coached North Korea. He was fired despite the team managing to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.