ID :
24465
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 18:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24465
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea to heighten offense in World Cup qualifier against UAE
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national football coach vowed Tuesday his team will make all-out offensive efforts to defeat the United Arab Emirates in an upcoming Asian World Cup qualifier in Seoul.
"We are at an important juncture ahead of the World Cup finals," Huh Jung-moo
told reporters at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where South Korea will face the
UAE Wednesday evening as part of the final Asian qualifying round for the 2010
World Cup.
"We will press on with offense rather than defense even if we score a goal
first." Huh said, proclaiming his squad is at its peak form.
South Korea finished with a disappointing 1-1 draw against North Korea in their
opener of the final regional qualifying stage last month and hope to bounce back
with a win over the UAE this week.
Jeong Shung-hoon, a 29-year-old with formidable heading skills, will team up with
budding striker Shin Young-rok for offense, while Manchester United midfielder
Park Ji-sung will aid them from the left side, according to insiders.
"Every player knows how important this match is. We'll show everyone how much we
have prepared to win it," Park told the press.
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 are in Asian Group 2 with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea.
"We need those three points. We have to win tomorrow at all costs, and the
players know it well," said Huh, who has led the team since December last year.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight ticket to the World Cup finals, 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 a pair of 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.
Following the Wednesday match, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia for another
regional World Cup qualifier on Nov. 19. The match against the UAE will begin at
8 p.m. in Seoul.
"We are at an important juncture ahead of the World Cup finals," Huh Jung-moo
told reporters at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where South Korea will face the
UAE Wednesday evening as part of the final Asian qualifying round for the 2010
World Cup.
"We will press on with offense rather than defense even if we score a goal
first." Huh said, proclaiming his squad is at its peak form.
South Korea finished with a disappointing 1-1 draw against North Korea in their
opener of the final regional qualifying stage last month and hope to bounce back
with a win over the UAE this week.
Jeong Shung-hoon, a 29-year-old with formidable heading skills, will team up with
budding striker Shin Young-rok for offense, while Manchester United midfielder
Park Ji-sung will aid them from the left side, according to insiders.
"Every player knows how important this match is. We'll show everyone how much we
have prepared to win it," Park told the press.
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 are in Asian Group 2 with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea.
"We need those three points. We have to win tomorrow at all costs, and the
players know it well," said Huh, who has led the team since December last year.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight ticket to the World Cup finals, 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 a pair of 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.
Following the Wednesday match, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia for another
regional World Cup qualifier on Nov. 19. The match against the UAE will begin at
8 p.m. in Seoul.
