Now-TV commentator Park Ji-sung says S. Korea should watch out for Emil Forsberg

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korean football icon Park Ji-sung, who now works as a commentator for local broadcaster SBS, said Monday the national football team should be aware of Sweden's playmaker Emil Forsberg when the two sides open their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign. 

South Korea and Sweden will go head-to-head in their Group F opener at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod later Monday. The match will start at 3 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Seoul time.

Park, who hung up his boots in 2014, said Forsberg is the player that South Korean should mark closely during the match. Park was at the media center of Nizhny Novgorod Stadium before preparing for his match commentating.

"Forsberg is a player who is on the flanks, but he likes to cut inside," said the former Manchester United midfielder. "Our defenders should really communicate and help each other."

Park, who also had stints with PSV Eindhoven and Queens Park Rangers, said he has big expectations for Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min.

"Son is qualified and has talent to serve as South Korea's ace, so I believe he'll prove his reputation against Sweden," he said. "Sweden are physically strong, and they reached the World Cup after beating Italy. I'm sure our players will feel pressured, but I hope they can play with confidence." (Yonhap)