The Korean team are to face two power players in their showdown with the US, Monday, namely Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, both 20, who emerged as a potent force in Team USA's shock victory over Portugal. A win for either team will mean a much-prized berth in the second round.

Donovan, substituted after 30 minutes of the second half scored through a deflection off a Portuguese defender, while Beasley at left midfield, beat up the defense with amazing speed and stamina for the whole game.

The two, both 173cm in height and weigh 67kg and 66kg, respectively, making them a couple of the smaller players in the World Cup, showed their physical strength and high speed in their debut in the 1999 U-17 championships in New Zealand, helping the US get to the semifinals.

Donovan was selected for the US national team in October 2000 and has scored five goals in 24 matches. Beasley, who joined the US team three months later than Donovan, played in the second half of the Gold Cup match in January against South Korea and scored the winning goal against South Korea.

Since then Beasley has scored in matches against Jamaica and Uruguay as a midfielder with the ability to shoot. In an interview after the US versus Portugal match the two said they were looking to score in the match against South Korea.

(Lee Han-su, hslee@chosun.com )