ID :
24484
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 18:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24484
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea gear up for World Cup qualifier against UAE
SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national football coach vowed Tuesday his team would make all-out efforts to beat the United Arab Emirates in an upcoming Asian World Cup qualifier to take the lead in their group.
"We are at an important juncture toward 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 need those three points. We have to win tomorrow at all costs, and the
players know it well," Huh said, proclaiming the squad is at its peak form.
South Korea drew 1-1 with North Korea in their opener of the final regional
qualifying round 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's Park
Ji-sung will aid them from the side.
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, according to insiders.
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.
"We are at an important juncture toward 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 need those three points. We have to win tomorrow at all costs, and the
players know it well," Huh said, proclaiming the squad is at its peak form.
South Korea drew 1-1 with North Korea in their opener of the final regional
qualifying round 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's Park
Ji-sung will aid them from the side.
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, according to insiders.
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.
