By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

North Korea started 2010 on a positive note as it won the International Friendship Tournament in Doha, Qatar, Sunday morning (KST).

The North Koreans saw their two-game winning streak end in a 1-0 loss to Iran after conceding a winner to Mehrzad Madanchi in the first half, but thanks to a scoreless draw between Qatar and Mali earlier in the day, they were crowned champions.

North Korea finished the four-team tournament with six points from two wins, as FC Rostov striker Hong Yong-jo scored a lone goal in each of the two matches with Mali and Qatar.

Mali and Qatar had four points with identical 1-1-1 records, while Iran, headed by Afshin Ghotbi, finished at the bottom of the pile with three points.

Ghotbi worked as a video analyst for the South Korean team in the past two World Cups.

Winning the title, North Korea, which has qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals, earned $250,000.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr