ID :
24405
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 16:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24405
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea gear up for World Cup qualifier against UAE
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS UAE striker, recent match results, other details throughout; RESTRUCTURES; TRIMS)
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- A heading specialist and an up-and-coming striker, both flanked by Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, will lead South Korea's offense against the United Arab Emirates Wednesday in an Asian World Cup qualifier, insiders said.
Jeong Shung-hoon, a 29-year-old, 190-centimeter-tall striker, will team up with
Shin Young-rok, the 22-year-old who has long served as a staple forward on South
Korea's under-23 squad, they said.
Park will aid the two from the left, hoping to help South Korea bounce back from
a disappointing 1-1 draw with North Korea in their opener of the final Asian
qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
After last month's draw, South Korea, ranked 55th in the world by FIFA, has only
a point, while the UAE, standing at 110th, have lost both of their last-round
qualifiers. The two teams are in Asian Group 2 with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North
Korea.
South Korea also hope to ride on the momentum generated over the weekend when
they routed Uzbekistan 3-0 in a friendly at home. The UAE drew 1-1 with Japan in
their own friendly last week.
The UAE, who will likely deploy their top striker, Ismail Matar, have lost seven
times to South Korea and won only twice in their past face-offs. Struggling with
poor performances in the qualifiers, the team recently sacked its head coach.
South Korea's four-man defense will be orchestrated by their veteran midfielder,
Lee Young-pyo, who moved to Germany's Borussia Dortmund after playing in the
English Premier League in August, the insiders said.
Second-half substitution replacing Shin with Lee Keun-ho is also likely during
the Wednesday match, the insiders added. Lee, 23, scored two goals in the
Uzbekistan friendly on Saturday.
Ten Asian teams are competing in the final qualifying series, with two top teams
from each group of five allowed to advance to the World Cup finals.
The third-placed teams from each group will play against each other, with the
winner later facing off against the top squad from Oceania.
The Wednesday match will begin at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- A heading specialist and an up-and-coming striker, both flanked by Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, will lead South Korea's offense against the United Arab Emirates Wednesday in an Asian World Cup qualifier, insiders said.
Jeong Shung-hoon, a 29-year-old, 190-centimeter-tall striker, will team up with
Shin Young-rok, the 22-year-old who has long served as a staple forward on South
Korea's under-23 squad, they said.
Park will aid the two from the left, hoping to help South Korea bounce back from
a disappointing 1-1 draw with North Korea in their opener of the final Asian
qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
After last month's draw, South Korea, ranked 55th in the world by FIFA, has only
a point, while the UAE, standing at 110th, have lost both of their last-round
qualifiers. The two teams are in Asian Group 2 with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North
Korea.
South Korea also hope to ride on the momentum generated over the weekend when
they routed Uzbekistan 3-0 in a friendly at home. The UAE drew 1-1 with Japan in
their own friendly last week.
The UAE, who will likely deploy their top striker, Ismail Matar, have lost seven
times to South Korea and won only twice in their past face-offs. Struggling with
poor performances in the qualifiers, the team recently sacked its head coach.
South Korea's four-man defense will be orchestrated by their veteran midfielder,
Lee Young-pyo, who moved to Germany's Borussia Dortmund after playing in the
English Premier League in August, the insiders said.
Second-half substitution replacing Shin with Lee Keun-ho is also likely during
the Wednesday match, the insiders added. Lee, 23, scored two goals in the
Uzbekistan friendly on Saturday.
Ten Asian teams are competing in the final qualifying series, with two top teams
from each group of five allowed to advance to the World Cup finals.
The third-placed teams from each group will play against each other, with the
winner later facing off against the top squad from Oceania.
The Wednesday match will begin at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
