"The Group of Death" is perhaps an over-used term in the world of soccer but in the case of South Korea`s draw, it is appropriate. Last Friday, the national team found itself in a tough-looking group in its bid to reach the 2010 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE and North Korea are the teams that lie between the Taeguk Warriors in their bid to reach the promised land - or to give it its proper name, South Africa. The action starts in September, and South Korea will have to finish in the top two of the group to be sure of a seventh successive appearance on the global stage.
It could have been better. Saudi Arabia and Iran are two of Asia`s traditional powerhouses, and South Korea usually struggles in Riyadh and Tehran. Games with North Korea are never easy. UAE - on paper, the weakest team in the group - is no slouch either.
Coach Huh Jung-moo is under no illusions as to the size of the task.
"There is no easy team in our group but we will play every game like a final. We have already prepared a master plan for 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa," he said.
"We had bad memories of playing against Iran and playing in their country would be quite difficult for us. We need to be prepared in terms of fitness, skills and fighting spirit," said the 54-year-old.
"We know Saudi Arabia very well now but they are a very difficult team to beat, while it`s not easy to get three points from DPR Korea. UAE is also a competitive team, but every game is a final for us from now on. We need to get three points. I have drafted a strategy for the final round of qualifying campaign and we will try to earn one of the four automatic berths," he said.
It may be tough, but the next few months offer some mouth-watering matches.
There have been some serious battles with Iran in the last decade and the two rivals have met the last four Asian Cups and have won two each. The Persians possess perhaps Asia`s most naturally gifted players, and have qualified for two of the last three World Cups.
Better going forward than in defense, Iran`s play often revolves around captain Javad Nekounam.
The Spanish-based star is arguably the best all-round midfielder on the continent, and the most important player in the team now that famous players such as Medhi Mahdavikia, Vahid Hashemian and Ali Karimi are older and slower.
Those aging stars were just starting out in 1994 - the last time South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia. The Saudis triumphed over Korea twice in qualification for the 2006 World Cup, results that cost Jo Bonfrere his job. Since those two defeats, the two teams drew 1-1 in the 2007 Asian Cup.
The Saudis may sometimes struggle at World Cups but they are tough in continental terms. There is also no better attacking partnership than 2007 Asian Player of the Year Yasser Al Qahtani, and the diminutive but deadly Malek Maaz. The thought of the fleet-footed duo gliding through Korea`s sometimes hapless defense can not be pleasant for Huh.
To make matters worse is the prospect of two more games with North Korea. Games against their local rival are usually turgid affairs and all the hassle that goes on off the pitch doesn`t make any one feel happier.
"We hope that it can be a normal home and away, but if there are some issues it`s still not a problem because we always have our neighboring countries to go to," Chun Han-jin of South Korea`s football association said.
The Taeguk Warriors` last trip to UAE ended in defeat and the coach of the Gulf State Bruno Metsu will be keen to cause an upset after accepting and then refusing the position as South Korea coach in May 2004.
Metsu led Senegal to the quarterfinal stage of the 2002 World Cup. Korea went one further that year. At the moment nobody cares about another semifinal placing - just to get to South Africa will be achievement enough.
By John Duerden Contributing writer
(johnduerden@hotmail.com)
[출처 : 코리아헤럴드]
