Posts Tagged ‘Korea Republic’

Tabarez: Koreans leave with heads high

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Korea Republic take their leave of the FIFA World Cup™ with their heads held high after pushing Uruguay hard in Saturday’s last-16 defeat, the South American team’s coach said. The Asian giants head home after a Luis Suarez double sandwiched Lee Chung-Yong’s header to give Uruguay a 2-1 win.

They bow out having qualified for the second round for the first time on foreign soil on the strength of an opening 2-0 win over UEFA EURO 2004 champions Greece, a 4-1 reverse to Argentina, and a 2-2 draw with Nigeria, with their journey ending at a rain-sodden Nelson Mandela bay stadium.

Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez said the Koreans had surprised him and his players. “They surprised us by their approach, their very direct play, it was they who determined how the game was played,” he said.

“This Korean team played a great match. Perhaps they weren’t very lucky in some of their moves but that’s football. This match confirms how balanced football has become around the world, you can see how Korea have grown – they made us fight hard for our victory. Korea may have lost today but they are leaving this World Cup with heads held high.”

Korea Republic coach Huh Jung-Moo, his team captain Park Ji-Sung and the rest of the squad have given their national team a major boost of confidence after their first round kock-out at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

“You can see how Korea have grown.”

Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach

Reflecting on his side’s South African adventure Huh said: “My players did their best. We have the capability, but we have seen here that we have areas to improve on. It would have been a lot better if we had played with a bit more confidence, but I feel hopeful for the future of South Korean football. The players are improving, our game is getting better.”

He had a special word for the team’s fans, the small group of supporters who made it to their matches in person and the half a million night owls or more who stayed up late to follow their progress back home.

“I’d like to thank them all, all the Korean public, for their support.”

Asked about his own future as head of the national side Huh replied: “To be honest I’ve only been thinking about the World Cup, I haven’t thought about what’s going to happen after it.

“I’ll take time now to relax and think about the future, whatever I end up doing I really hope South Korea will continue to be on the world stage and I want to contribute in any way I can.”

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Korean fans have praise despite exit

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Korea Republic fans saw their dreams of FIFA World Cup™ glory come to an end by an 80th-minute goal from Uruguay’s Luis Suarez early Sunday, but fans still praised the Taeguk Warriors for a spirited performance.

Despite drizzling rain which mirrored conditions in South Africa’s Port Elizabeth, police said 447,000 passionate supporters packed outdoor venues throughout Korea Republic to watch the game on giant TV screens including 295,000 in Seoul.

Millions more tuned in at home to see if the team – which had reached the knock-out round for the first time on foreign soil – could go even further. Red-shirted fans who packed Seoul’s City Hall plaza clapped, sang, beat drums and shouted for their team, even when persistent rain washed off face paintings.

Lee Chung-Yong’s header in the 67th minute to level the score was greeted with ecstatic shouts and leaps in the air. And despite the final 2-1 scoreline, the crowd applauded the Koreans for what was seen as a creditable display, although a few were seen sobbing. “They [Korea Republic] were good and Uruguay’s second goal was something we couldn’t block,” one said, reflecting a widespread sentiment.

Fans generally had praise for the team and there was even some praise left over for the Uruguayans. “Our players did so well today but there was no luck,” said Jun Jin-Woo, 17. “I think it was a good experience in a bigger league. I’m sure they’ll do better after experiencing the game today.”

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Koreans want to repay fans

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Korea Republic want to beat Uruguay in their FIFA World Cup™ last-16 meeting on Saturday to say thanks to all the fans back home who have endured sleepless nights to support the team.

It was 3:30 am local time in Seoul when Tuesday’s closing group game against Nigeria kicked off and Korea Republic coach Huh Jung-Moo said he and his players were indebted to the late night support from the other side of the world.

“All of our players have made it to the last 16 thanks to hard work and effort, and we don’t want to rest on our laurels. We want to make it into the quarter-finals to repay all of our fans and spectators back home in South Korea who are spending their nights cheering us on.”

Bleary-eyed Korean fans erupted with joy as their team won through to the last 16 for only the second time in eight attempts with the 2-2 draw with Nigeria. Undeterred by the dead-of-night kick-off, an army of red-shirted supporters packed venues nationwide to watch the Taeguk Warriors.

Police said 500,000 fans nationwide, more than half of them in Seoul, watched the game in public on giant TV screens, with countless others tuning in at home. Fans, many sporting red plastic horns, packed City Hall plaza in central Seoul and surrounding streets.

“All of our players have made it to the last 16 thanks to hard work and effort, and we don’t want to rest on our laurels.”

Huh Jung-Moo, Korea Republic coach

Their reward was Saturday’s date with Uruguay. Huh, speaking at the eve-of-match press conference, said: “I don’t know who will win, Uruguay are a tough team, but we are also a tough team and we’ll do our best to make it into the next round.”

Huh then turned to one of Korea Republic’s weak points, a defence which has leaked six goals in the first round. That could be a major issue on Saturday against an Uruguay side that have yet to concede once in South Africa.

“Uruguay do have a very good defence, in contrast we’ve let teams score against us. But we’ve scored too, we’ll just have to compensate by scoring two goals for each one conceded.” Huh suggested Saturday’s game was too close to call. “We can’t be sure about the outcome – we have a 50-50 chance to win.”

Whoever prevails on Saturday will face the winner of the last-16 match between the United States and Ghana, meaning at least one surprise semi-finalist at this FIFA World Cup of upsets.

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Uruguay-Korea Republic preview

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Group A winners Uruguay take on Group B runners-up Korea Republic on the back of their impressive performances against South Africa and Mexico. Under the guidance of Oscar Tabarez, the Uruguayans have become one of the most well-balanced sides at this year’s finals, organised in defence and clinical in attack.

Meanwhile, Huh Jung-Moo’s men have nothing to lose in this match, having already fulfilled their initial goal of reaching the second round for the first time on foreign soil. The winners of this match will advance to the quarter-finals to face USA or Ghana in Johannesburg on 2 July, with the losers set to make a premature return home.

The match
Uruguay-Korea Republic, Round of 16, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, 16:00 (local time)

On paper at least, Korea Republic should be no match for Uruguay. La Celeste have an almost perfect record against the Taeguk Warriors, winning all four games, scoring seven times in the process and conceding only once. And the Uruguayans enter their fifth encounter with the South Koreans as the favourites, considering they have yet to concede a goal at South Africa 2010 and boast a couple of in-form, world-class strikers.

For their part, Korea Republic have looked vulnerable in defence, especially in their games against Argentina and Nigeria. Although the east Asians have scored five times – their most prolific form in the group stage of any FIFA World Cup – they also suffered their worst defeat in 12 years, going down 4-1 to the Argentinians. However, the Taeguk Warriors can take heart from their new-found source of goals - well-crafted free-kicks.

Players to watch
Diego Forlan v Park Ji-Sung

Having scored a brace against the hosts, Diego Forlan is at the core of Uruguay’s three-prolonged attack. The Atletico Madrid forward is also the most capped player in the current squad and has completed all 270 minutes of Uruguay’s matches thus far.

Korea Republic captain Park Ji-Sung became the second player from Asia to score in three FIFA World Cups when the Manchester United midfielder found the net against Greece. Coincidentally, both Forlan and Park have been named the Budweiser Man of the Match twice in the group stage.

The stat
4 – Uruguay and Korea Republic have met four times in the past, with La Celeste emerging victorious on each occasion. In their group stage meeting at Italy 1990, Daniel Fonseca scored a last-gasp goal to inspire the Uruguayans to a 1-0 victory.

What they said
“We’ve showed that we are a tough team to tackle. We’re trying to do what we had exactly in mind before the tournament. I don’t think we’ve achieved that yet, but Uruguay is now a difficult opponent for anybody,” Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach

“Although we haven’t had good results against the teams from South America, the group stage match against Argentina has given us some good lessons on how to deal with Latin American sides. We all know how to defend and attack against them, and we’ll show a different side of ourselves than in the group stage,” Park Ji-Sung, Korea Republic captain

The question
Will Uruguay be able to keep their streak of clean sheets going against the lively South Koreans?

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Park eyes semi-final repeat

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Korea Republic skipper Park Ji-Sung is challenging his team-mates to write themselves into the history books by reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals.

The Koreans, who did just that in their own country eight years ago, have reached the last 16 on foreign soil for the first time in South Africa, and face a tough task if they are to progress any further with in-form Uruguay standing in their way in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.

However, Manchester United midfielder Park is convinced they can get past the South Americans and make a real fist of emulating the feat their compatriots achieved back in 2002. “We ourselves don’t have a clear conviction of how far we can go,” he said. “But in 2002, we made it to the semi-finals and I don’t think that was just because it was on home ground. We will do our best to prove that was not the case.”

The 29-year-old made his name on the international stage eight years ago as the co-hosts, riding a wave of patriotic fervour, very nearly went all the way under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink before losing 1-0 to Germany in the semi-finals. They failed to make it past the group stage at Germany 2006, but they have gone one better this time around and are determined to embark upon another big adventure.

“We ourselves don’t have a clear conviction of how far we can go. But in 2002, we made it to the semi-finals and I don’t think that was just because it was on home ground.”

Park Ji-Sung, Korea Republic skipper

Some commentators believe the current team may be even stronger than the one which took such spectacular advantage of the comforts of home, although Park, who revealed he has received good luck messages from club boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his United team-mates, insists that can only be assessed once their tournament comes to an end.

He said: “I can’t compare this team to the 2002 team. That was the best team in our history. But this 2010 team is improving and we have got through the first round of games. Shortly, at the end of the World Cup, we are going to compare the previous team with this one and hopefully then we can say we are better.”

What is certain, however, is that the class of 2010 is widely travelled and has gained experience of football around the world, and Park is hopeful that will stand them in good stead. “The biggest change is experience,” he said. “In 2006, we already had some players playing in foreign leagues. But this time around, we have a lot of players who have either played in European leagues or are currently playing there, and that in itself has been a great help for us.”

Korea Republic opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Greece at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and after a 4-1 thumping by Group B winners Argentina, drew 2-2 with Nigeria to secure the runners-up spot. They have scored five goals to date, but conceded six, and coach Huh Jung-Moo admits that is a concern with Uruguay yet to concede in the tournament.

“Uruguay have been very good in their defence, but although we may have let other teams score goals, we have also scored goals as well,” he said. “We have let in lots of goals, but we can make up for that by scoring twice every time we lose a goal. We are doing our best to work on that.”

For all the optimism within the South Korean camp, they will go into the game as underdogs, but Huh will take some comfort from the plight of European heavyweights France and Germany. “There are possibilities open to everyone. The ball is always round,” he said. “Italy and France, teams like that, can always lose, and unexpected teams can win.”

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Park focused solely on Uruguay

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Park Ji-Sung is not looking beyond Saturday’s game with Uruguay as Korea Republic bid to extend their historic run at the FIFA World Cup™.

The Taeguk Warriors cemented their place in the last 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time ever on foreign soil after a win and a draw sealed second in Group B.

Coach Huh Jung-Moo’s target before the tournament was to reach the knock-out stage and with that achieved South Korea can now reassess their goals in South Africa.

However, Manchester United midfielder Park is focused solely on the upcoming game against Uruguay, who the East Asians have not beaten in four previous attempts.

“We watched a few of Uruguay’s games, they have quality and they are strong and their performances were great in the group stages. We have to prepare well for that game,” said Park in The Daily Yomiuri.

“We’re just thinking about the next game, we don’t want to think about the game after that. Our goal was the last 16, so now we just focus on every single game coming up and treat it as the final.”

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Higuain’s hat-trick sinks South Koreans

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Gonzalo Higuain fired a memorable hat-trick as Argentina wrapped up a thrilling 4-1 victory over Korea Republic to virtually assure themselves of a place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™.

There was some scintillating attacking football from La Albiceleste as they became the first team at South Africa 2010 to reach six points. Nudging Higuain for individual honours as Korea Republic – impressive winners over Greece in their opening Group B fixture – were torn apart was the mercurial Lionel Messi, who had a hand in all four goals.

Argentina were quickly into their smooth-passing style, switching the ball quickly to their creative talents, with Carlos Tevez eager to nag away at the Korean defenders. Angel Di Maria also demonstrated the potential to make it a difficult afternoon for Korea Republic right-back Oh Beom-Seok, who had come in for Cha Du-Ri. It was following a foul on the Benfica winger that Argentina went ahead. Messi’s free-kick was perfectly judged, looping towards the penalty spot where it came off the shin of Park Chu-Young, leaving Jung Sung-Ryong powerless to keep it out.

A stunning right-footer from distance from Ki Sung-Yueng indicated that the Asian team were not going to take that blow lying down but chances were virtually non-existent as the South Americans continued in comfortable control, probing away and posing all manner of problems. Tevez zipped a free-kick just too high and on 32 minutes Argentina had their second goal. A free-kick was played short this time with Messi inviting Maxi Rodriguez to deliver the ball into the danger zone where it was flicked back towards the far post where Higuain was waiting to steer in a header.

It was so comfortable for Maradona’s team with Sung-Ryong denying Di Maria, and Messi only fractionally wide after a wonderful jinking run that bemused a clutch of defenders. But then a lapse in concentration allowed the South Koreans back into the match. That certainly seemed to be the case with Martin Demichelis who was guilty of dwelling on the ball as the first half entered into added-on time and Lee Chung-Young took ruthless advantage.

After the break Sung-Ryong did well to keep out Higuain’s effort but Diego Maradona’s team, now without Walter Samuel, who was forced off with an injury, were vulnerable to Korea Republic’s pace on the counter. That was never better demonstrated than in the 58th minute, when Park Ji-Sung slid a perfect pass into the stride of Yeom Ki-Hun, who could only hit the side-netting.

The last words went to Argentina however and Higuain. After a one-two, Messi tore into the area and saw his first shot repelled by the goalkeeper. His follow-up struck the inside of the post and there was Higuain to apply the final touch. Messi and Higuain were not finished yet. With ten minutes remaining Messi’s beautifully executed scooped pass put Sergio Aguero clear down the left and his cushioned cross was met with a clinical header from Higuain to wrap up his hat-trick.

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Lee raring to go

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Korea Republic striker Lee Dong-Gook is confident of featuring in Saturday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener against Greece after making a speedy recovery from a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old Pohang Steelers striker, who was the top scorer in the K-League last season, was not expected to be available to coach Huh Jung-Moo until at least the second Group B outing against Argentina on 17 June.

“My condition has improved quickly from steady rehabilitation.”

Lee Dong-Guk, Korea Republic striker

But the former Middlesbrough frontman, who picked up the injury last month, has made a quicker than expected recovery. “I’ve been exercising normally since arriving in South Africa,” he said. “My condition has improved quickly from steady rehabilitation. If given the opportunity, I want to leave a good impression in the match with Greece.”

Lee missed out on a place in the last FIFA World Cup™ in Germany after picking up a knee injury and was left out of Korea Republic’s 2002 FIFA World Cup™ squad by Guus Hiddink, having made just one substitute appearance in France four years earlier.

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Lee boost for Korea Republic

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Lee Dong-Guk could play a part in Korea Republic’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener against Greece on Saturday after making a quicker than expected recovery from injury.

The 32-year-old former Middlesbrough striker suffered a hamstring injury last month and was not expected to figure for the Taeguk Warriors until their second Group B match against Argentina on 17 June. However, the Pohang Steelers forward, who finished top scorer in the K-League last season, has made rapid progress in recovering from the injury and coach Huh Jung-moo believes he could feature this weekend.

“Lee has improved a lot. He may even play a little during the group opener with Greece,” he said. Lee is at his first FIFA World Cup since France 1998 after being left out of Guus Hiddink’s squad for the 2002 tournament before a knee injury denied him a place in Germany four years later.

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Park fit for opener

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Coach Huh Jung-Moo has confirmed Park Ji-Sung is back to full fitness and ready for Korea Republic’s FIFA World Cup™ opener against Greece.

The Manchester United midfielder sat out the Taeguk Warriors’ final warm-up match against Spain last week with a minor thigh injury but has returned to training without experiencing any further problems.

The South Koreans begin their Group B campaign against Greece on Saturday and Huh is confident Park will take his place in the side to face the former European champions.

“Park Ji-Sung is fine. He felt a slight soreness on his hamstring so we didn’t let him play in the friendly against Spain so as not to aggravate it,” Huh said in the Korean Times.

Huh also allayed fears regarding the fitness of Park Chu-young after the Monaco striker dislocated his shoulder at South Korea’s training camp in Austria but is set to be fit for Saturday.

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