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Sparkling with its glorious achievement in advancing to the semifinals, as the first Asian country ever to do so, Team Korea confront Turkey in the third place match at 8:00pm Saturday in Daegu. Players confirmed that they would pay back the nation's support by wining the last match, and head coach Guus Hiddink, who showed tears after the painful defeat by the Germans in the semifinal round, promised that the team will be in full operation for the match.
Turkey previously gave Team Korea a shameful 7:0 defeat in Korea¡¯s World Cup debut in 1954 in Switzerland, and is ranked at 22, ahead of Korea's 40. Turkey surprised the world by playing neck-and-neck with Brazil in two confrontations in this year's World Cup. Turkish head coach Senol Gunes said he will not let his guard down as the Korean squad is no longer the weakling from 1954 and the Turks do not wish to return home with a defeat. Soccer experts predict in favor of the home team, and the Daegu match is highly likely to be held in rain, with weather forecasters saying there is a 40% chance of rain in the afternoon.
The Red Devils supporters are again an indispensable part of the soccer match. The street cheering, which charged the players on the field with encouragement and spirit, will be staged in the main streets nationwide, and millions of soccer fans will gather together to parade their love for the game.
(Kang Ho-cheol, jdean@chosun.com )
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