S. Korea vows to advance to knockout stage in 2010 World Cup

SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's national football coach, Huh Jung-moo,
said Thursday he will draw up the best plan to advance to the knockout stage of
the upcoming World Cup against world football powerhouses over the next six
months.
South Korea won a berth to 2010 World Cup finals without a single defeat in the
Asian preliminary round. It will be South Korea's seventh consecutive appearance
at the event.
"We have successfully clinched the ticket to South Africa, although many people
had doubted it," Huh said in an interview with Yonhap. "Every player has pledged
to make it to the knockout stage in South Africa. We will do our best to realize
that dream."
The country went all the way to the semifinals on its home turf in the 2002 World
Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, but has never advanced to the last 16
outside its territory.
Its first victory in an away game came at the 2006 Germany World Cup against the
Republic of Togo.
"Notching two wins is best, but I think one win and two draws is not bad. But one
win, one loss and one draw will be touch-and-go," the 54-year-old former
midfielder said.
The squad will undergo a three-week training session scheduled to begin early
next year in Rustenburg, South Africa, and Malaga, Spain. In the camp, Huh will
sort out his best players to compete at the global event and map out a long-term
strategy for surviving the group round.
South Korea will take on Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in Group B at the next
year's World Cup to be held June 12 for the first time in Africa.
"All three teams are stronger than we are. Their world rankings are much higher
than ours, and their performances are outstanding," Huh said. "But I think it's
worth a try."
Argentina, the team of 2009 FIFA World Player Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez,
stands at eighth; Greece, the Euro 2004 champion, is at 13th; Nigeria is at 22nd;
and South Korea ranks 52nd.
"Argentina is one of the world's top teams. Each player has good scoring ability
and speed, and their swift attack and defense is dangerous," said Huh, who
closely marked Diego Maradona at the 1986 Mexico World Cup against the South
American team. Maradona is now leading his national squad.
South Korea will begin its World Cup campaign by taking on Greece on June 12 in
Port Elizabeth. It will face Argentina on June 17 in Johannesburg and Nigeria on
June 22 in Durban.
brk@yna.co.kr
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