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The Korean national soccer squad, making a quantum lead in the nation's soccer history is gearing up for a crucial match against three-time World Cup's champion Italy in Daejeon, Tuesday, for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Team members along with head coach Guus Hiddink is in Daejeon for a last day of training, polishing off their strategies and tactics.
While Korea is placed 40th in rankings, Italy is ranked sixth in the world by FIFA and stands a traditional soccer powerhouse with its strength in a robust defense. But soccer analysts say Korea would be able to break down the defense by sticking to its so-called "pressure soccer" strategy and its trademark speedy attacks down the flanks. Coach Hiddink agrees and is expected to apply aggressive pressing tactics, which soccer experts say was a key factor in the opening-round victories.
An interesting player match-up in Tuesday's game will be the battle between Park Ji-sung in the right wing spot and Italian captain Paolo Maldini in the left fullback position. But analysts add, Italy's power-striker Christian Vieri is the most lethal threat to the Korean side.
And taking heed of his top-notch goal-scoring capability, Korean defenders, either Kim Tae-young or Choi Jin-cheul, are poised to man-to-man-mark the powerful Italian forward. Although it remains to be seen how far Korea will go, the advance to the knockout stage will go down as the greatest achievement to date in its soccer history.
(Arirang TV)
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