South Korea to face Great Britain in Cardiff

The Korea Olympic football team manager Hong Myung-bo speaks at Thursday’s media conference at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. (Photo : Yonhap)

South Korea will face a tough challenge against the host country Great Britain in the men’s football quarterfinal at the Millennium Stadium which will be filled with 70,000 home fans at 3:30 a.m. Sunday (KST).

“We won’t back down against Team GB,” manager Hong Myung-bo said Friday.

“In football, anything can happen.” After earning five points from a victory over Switzerland and draws against Mexico and Gabon, Korea cleared the first hurdle, reaching the knockout stage after finishing second in Group B behind Mexico. Many anticipate a win for Britain. But Korea has high expectations for its players based in Europe like Arsenal forward Park Chu-young and Celtic midfielder Ki Sungyueng to upset the odds at the Summer Games where favorites like Spain and Uruguay have already been eliminated.

“I believe we have had good games at the tournament, although I was hoping for more goals,” Hong said. “I believe that our team will be able to play well in the match and we will be fully prepared by then.” Reaching the quarterfinal as the No. 1 team in Group A after beating Senegal and Uruguay and drawing with the United Arab Emirates, Team GB is now the only European country in the quarterfinals. Its keen scoring ability presents a serious threat. Success for Korea may hinge on its tight defense that has allowed only one goal in its three games so far.

Park will probably start again as a lone striker, while Britain could again pair Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy and Daniel Sturridge of Chelsea up front. Although Korea’s lack of offense has been exposed in previous outings, Park played his part in lifting his team to the next stage with the nation’s first goal against Switzerland.

Now, attention is being turned to the 27-year-old he will be keen to prove that he is capable of succeeding both for his country and club.

Also on Sunday, double swimming silver medalist Park Tae-hwan is preparing for the 1,500-meter freestyle. Park had to settle for second in both the 400 and 200 free. With 400 gold medalist Sun Yang also participating in the race, the competition between the two Asian rivals is expected to continue in their last encounter at the Summer Games.

Defending weightlifting champion Jang Mi-ran will compete for her second title in the over 75-kilogram the same day. Despite an injury to her left shoulder, the gritty 29- year-old is determined to win the gold at what will probably be her last Olympics. She has the chance to become the first Korean weightlifter to make the podium in three consecutive Olympics.

Meanwhile, 10-meter air pistol champion Jin Jong-oh will shoot for his second gold in London, while badminton medal hopefuls Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung will first need to get past Denmark’s Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen on Saturday. If they triumph, they will advance to Sunday’s final. <The Korea Times/Jung Min-ho>

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