|
▒ Category
[Awards Review]
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
▶ World Cup Group D Coaches Wary of South Korea
|
[2002/04/28 ]
|
|
Seoul, April 26 (Yonhap) -- Guus Hiddink's counterparts in Group D believe South Korea will be tough to beat on home soil during the 2002 World Cup, Britain's monthly World Soccer magazine revealed in the latest edition.
In a special interview with the 32 coaches of the 2002 World Cup finalist teams, the leaders of Portugal, Poland and the United States said that the home ground advantage will make the Hiddink's side 'tricky' opponents.
Antonio Oliveira, Portugal's coach, said that Korea have the potential to surprise the other teams in the group.
'They have great speed and revealed good organization,' he told the magazine, adding that the team's current FIFA ranking of 41st did not mean a great deal.
He said he considered the draw a good one for his team and that he will use experts to prepare for the unfamiliar conditions Portugal will face in the Far East.
Poland's Jerzy Engel echoed Oliveira's concerns about the different conditions his team will encounter in Asia, though added that he was relieved his team would be playing in Korea, which is less hot and humid than Japan in June.
The coach stressed that Polish fans were under the impression that Korean and American soccer is not of a high standard.
'This, of course, is wrong,' he said, adding that his players were building up their fitness for the first match with Korea on June 4 in Busan.
Team U.S.A.'s head coach Bruce Arena also said that Korea will be difficult to beat, but added that he would be doing his utmost to push the team into the second round.
He reiterated that being co-hosts had its advantages and that Korea would take advantage of it to the fullest.
yonngong@yna.co.kr |
|
| |
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
