North Korea's soccer coach says his team has laid the foundation for the future after his squad finished its World Cup campaign.

Kim Jong Hun said after the 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast Friday, "We are going home having learned to play fiercely rather than preparing for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."

The North was outscored 12-1 in losing all three of its Group G games in its first World Cup since 1966, including a 7-0 demolition at the hands of Portugal.

The coach says his players improved their skills and grew tougher mentally and physically, adding it got faster in movement and struck a balance between offense and defense. Kim says if the North improves in these areas, it can better prepare for the next World Cup.

Though the North failed to shock the world as it did in the 1966 World Cup by upsetting Italy, the coach says this year's performance has laid the foundation for the future though the team had bad results.

He added that this tournament was a useful oppportunity and a great chance to raise his country's soccer IQ.

Kim says his team did better than expected against Ivory Coast and recovered the confidence it lost in the loss to Portugal.