Asia Cup Preview: South Korea Vs India
Cho Kwang-Rae, coach of South Korea, is hopeful that Manchester United midfielder, Park Ji Sung will be fit for the Asian Group C match against minnows, India. The United player has recovered from an injury and is expected to feature in the Korean side at
the Al Gharafa Stadium.
Korea need to beat http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/India-c750 in this match in order to book a place for the knockout stages of the event. Even a draw will be enough for the Koreans if the other match of the group goes according to their liking (If Australia beat or draw against Bahrain).
Cho also expressed his happiness when he heard the news that the talismanic Park Ji Sung will be able to play in the vital encounter.
On paper, the game against India looks to be an easy task for the experienced Koreans. The South Asian team has the worst defensive record in the tournament, after conceding a staggering 9 goals in just two games. First, it was the Aussies who humiliated
them 4-0, and then in the game against Bahrain, the Indian team scored 2 goals, but still lost the game 5-2.
However, Cho has refused to take the Indian team lightly, and said that the importance of the game should be noticed for both sides and any complacency from the Koreans may prove calamitous.
Bob Houghton, coach of the Indian team, has asked his side to end their first Asian Cup venture in almost 47 years on a high note, and has stressed his players to dig deep for it.
"We're already eliminated, but this third game is very important for us", said the Englishman. Houghton also highlighted the fact that a good performance will be very important for his side as it may act as a key factor to the growth of the game in India
in the next 10 years or so.
Even after being pulled apart in the first 2 games, the Indian manager is satisfied with his team's performance and believes that the players gave a good account of themselves.
He said that in the first game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bahrain-c2847.
It is widely expected that the Koreans will easily dispatch the Indian side and it will be a tough job for the Indians to contain a Korean side that is very organized and good at all positions. The Koreans will be looking for a big win over the Indians in
order to build up a good momentum heading into the knockout stages of the tournament.
India's captain and their talisman, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bhaichung-Bhutia-c7586, is also fit for the game, and will play for India for the first time in the tournament.
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