ID :
31051
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 09:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/31051
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea's World Cup squad braces for qualifier against Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- Hoping to lunge ahead in their campaign for a ticket
to the 2010 World Cup, South Korea will go up against Saudi Arabia Wednesday,
seeking to end their 19-year winning drought against the Middle East rivals.
South Korea have never defeated Saudi Arabia since their 2-0 win in the 1989
World Cup qualifiers. The two teams are ranked just a notch apart in the world
standings, with South Korea standing lower at 53rd.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight World Cup ticket, lead Group B of
the final Asian qualifying only by a fragile margin, as Saudi Arabia enjoy the
same number of points but trail only in goal differentials to stand at third.
Iran are tied at third.
Following the last training session ahead of the match at King Fahd Stadium,
South Korean coach Huh Jung-moo said Tuesday it is time to break the "jinx."
"We'll fight confidently and forget the history of not winning for so long," he
said. "The jinx is destined to be shattered."
South Korea will deploy Manchester United's Park Ji-sung to help dominate the
flank and comeback goalie Lee Woon-jae to defend the net, the coaching staff
said. Lee, 35, comes back after a year-long ban for nighttime drinking in which
he took several junior players to a bar in Indonesia during an Asian tournament
last year.
Lee Young-pyo of Germany's Borussia Dortmund will lead the defensive lineup as he
did in a previous qualifier in which South Korea defeated the United Arab
Emirates 4-1 at home last month. He did not start in the opener of the final
qualifying round against North Korea in September, which ended in a one-all draw.
Huh said his team is ready to face the hostile crowd in Riyadh.
"We have to play like the stadium is packed in its full capacity of 70,000
spectators," he said. "I am confident that veteran players like Park, Lee
Woon-jae and Lee Young-pyo will exercise fine leadership."
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the qualifying round that will end
in June next year. Two from each group are given tickets to the World Cup in
South Africa, while the third-placed squads will start their own playoffs.
(END)
to the 2010 World Cup, South Korea will go up against Saudi Arabia Wednesday,
seeking to end their 19-year winning drought against the Middle East rivals.
South Korea have never defeated Saudi Arabia since their 2-0 win in the 1989
World Cup qualifiers. The two teams are ranked just a notch apart in the world
standings, with South Korea standing lower at 53rd.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight World Cup ticket, lead Group B of
the final Asian qualifying only by a fragile margin, as Saudi Arabia enjoy the
same number of points but trail only in goal differentials to stand at third.
Iran are tied at third.
Following the last training session ahead of the match at King Fahd Stadium,
South Korean coach Huh Jung-moo said Tuesday it is time to break the "jinx."
"We'll fight confidently and forget the history of not winning for so long," he
said. "The jinx is destined to be shattered."
South Korea will deploy Manchester United's Park Ji-sung to help dominate the
flank and comeback goalie Lee Woon-jae to defend the net, the coaching staff
said. Lee, 35, comes back after a year-long ban for nighttime drinking in which
he took several junior players to a bar in Indonesia during an Asian tournament
last year.
Lee Young-pyo of Germany's Borussia Dortmund will lead the defensive lineup as he
did in a previous qualifier in which South Korea defeated the United Arab
Emirates 4-1 at home last month. He did not start in the opener of the final
qualifying round against North Korea in September, which ended in a one-all draw.
Huh said his team is ready to face the hostile crowd in Riyadh.
"We have to play like the stadium is packed in its full capacity of 70,000
spectators," he said. "I am confident that veteran players like Park, Lee
Woon-jae and Lee Young-pyo will exercise fine leadership."
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the qualifying round that will end
in June next year. Two from each group are given tickets to the World Cup in
South Africa, while the third-placed squads will start their own playoffs.
(END)
