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Korea is preparing to write a new chapter in soccer history by tackling Spain for a berth in the FIFA World Cup's final four. Now with only eight teams left in the tournament with surprise quarterfinalists including Korea, the US and Senegal this year's World Cup has been full of unexpected outcomes.
"Well I think for the Korean team in last night's game the key was their hard work. Technically it was very difficult for them to compare with the technicality of the Italian team. But their hard work really paid off, now you could see in the games, that near the end of the game the Italians were just dead tired, while the Koreans just kept pressing forward," said coach Guus Hiddink.
The perseverance was clearly displayed in Tuesday's match against Italy, as in the dying minutes of the second half, Team Korea found the strength to come back and score. Proceeding to the golden goal in overtime... players again showed off their fighting spirit to overcome and to win. Now the Korean National Team is headed to the quarterfinals where it will go up against a temperamental Spanish team known for its experience and talent.
Local experts acknowledge that Spain, ranked eighth in the world, is a formidable opponent, but certainly not unbeatable under current circumstances. However, Korea may be suffering from a dangerous shortage of defensive strength as midfielder Kim Nam-il sprained his left ankle and Kim Tae-young is nursing a broken nose.
The Korean and Spanish World Cup squads will arrive in Gwangju on Friday, one day before their crucial match on Saturday.
(Arirang TV)
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