Draw with Syria dims Korea's outlook for showdown with Iran

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national football squad played to a 1-1
draw in a friendly with Syria on Sunday, dimming the outlook for a key match
against Iran in the regional qualifier for the World Cup in South Africa.

The Korean squad, set to face off with Iran in Tehran on Feb. 11, managed to tie
the friendly game with Syria, held in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, in what
critics say was a lethargic performance. The Koreans arrived in Dubai earlier
last week for both training and the friendly match.
Korea, ranked 42nd in the FIFA world standings, took the lead with Syria's own
goal in the second half but lost a goal to a Syrian striker just minutes before
the final whistle. The Korean squad failed to show decisive impact on both
defense and attack. Syria, standing 105th in the world ranking, is known to have
similar football style with Iran.
"It was the first game since we arrived here. I just wanted to check the players'
condition today," coach Huh Jung-moo said after the friendly. "After the next
friendly match against Bahrain, we will play well." The team will have another
friendly with Bahrain on Wednesday and move to Tehran on the following day.
South Korea and Iran have thus far recorded eight wins, eight defeats and five
draws against each other. But the Koreans have never defeated the 46th-ranked
Iran in away games in Tehran.
When other Korean players belonging to European clubs, including Park Ji-sung of
Manchester United and Lee Young-pyo of Germany's Borussia Dortmund, join the
squad next week, the team is expected to show a different shape in the match
against Iran, said Huh.
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the qualifying round that will end
in June this year. The top two from each group are given berths in the World Cup
in South Africa, while the third-placed squads will start their own playoffs.
South Korea drew 1-1 with North Korea in September, downed the United Arab
Emirates 4-1 in October and defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in November.
The squad will face North Korea again in Seoul in April.
brk@yna.co.kr
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