World Cup 2010: South Korea Hoping to Upset Maradona’s Argentina
After their incredible win over Greece, South Korea is confident that they can grind another victory when they face South American giants Argentina in Group B clash. South Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park believes his team is capable of defeating Maradona’s Argentina when they meet on Thursday at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Argentina, who had a very bizarre qualifying campaign, was very impressive when they overcame Nigeria in their first group match. Similarly, South Korea made an impact when they defeated 2004 European Champions Greece with a score of 2-0. South Koreans will be relying on their ace midfielder Ji-Sung Park to lead their attack. Park was phenomenal in their first victory where he was awarded the man-of-the-match due to a fantastic goal. Maradona will be hoping that his defence will cope with Korean attack led by Manchester United’s Park.
Park is confident that if South Korea plays with confidence then they can defeat any team including Messi’s Argentina. Talking to reporters, he said, “Argentina is the best team in our group, but if we play as a team like we did, we are capable of getting a result”. On the other hand, South Korea’s coach Huh Jung-Moo believes that his side has grown in confidence since their win against Greece and are in form to upset Argentina. This is not the first time Jung-Moo faced Maradona and Argentina. He was part of South Korean team when they faced a Maradona inspired Argentina in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The 55-year-old South Korean coach believes that his team has enough talent and strength to overcome their South American counterparts. He said, “We will give it our best shot, because my player can only grow in stature against opponents of their calibre. Argentina is among the favourites but we have good players too. In football, the lesser teams are always capable of beating the bigger ones”.
Meanwhile, Argentinean coach Maradona believes that his team will need to improve their finishing if they want to progress to later stages of World Cup. Despite holding possession against Nigeria, Argentina won the match with only one goal, courtesy of Gabriel Heinze. Maradona will also be applying different tactics against their Asian opponents. He played three defenders against Nigeria but the legendary Argentinean will be applying a 4-3-1-2 formation to counter the South Koreans. Roma’s Nicolas Burdisso will be added to defence so that things shape up well. Talking about South Koreans, Maradona while talking to reporters claimed, “Korea don’t have Messi, they are a very strong collective block, they are fast, they have a good team”.
After ruling out of Juan Sebastian Veron due to a calf injury from the match, Jonas Gutierrez is certain to start. Commenting on his team selection, he said, “There will not be any surprises”. Messi would be playing behind Tevez and Higuain will work as provider. Maradona is adamant that his team will show no mercy to any team in their quest for gold. Maradona also believes that Messi will be vital for Argentina’s World Cup glory. But Messi, who has flourished in club football with his team Barcelona, has failed to make any significant impact for his country - especially under Maradona. His average is less than a goal every three games at the international level which is very low for a player of the calibre of Messi.
Maradona has also launched a scathing attack on football legends Pele and Michel Platini. Criticizing both of them, he said, “Pele should go back to the Museum. We all know about the French are like and Platini as a Frenchman thinks he knows it all”. Maradona believes that he could easily steer Argentina to a third World Cup glory. “I feel capable of passing on to the players what I experienced as a footballer. I want to be World Champion and I have Messi backed by a great team. We have spectacular players who are not playing but who are behind waiting for their chances,” Maradona said, who is famous for his eccentric behaviour. Argentineans will be hoping that his behaviour does not cost them the World Cup.
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