Korean soccer gears up for Olympic, WC qualifying matches

This week will be a vitally important period for Korean soccer as the U23 team is set to play Oman on Wednesday in the Asian qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics.

The senior national team will then play a friendly against Uzbekistan on Saturday before facing Kuwait in the 2014 World Cup qualifier on Feb 29.

Manager Hong Myung-bo’s U23 side is looking to reach its seventh straight Olympics, and make its ninth overall appearance at the quadrennial competition.

The Korea U23 team’s chances are high with two games remaining and the team sitting at the top of Group A with eight points, just one point ahead of Oman. 

Hong’s side can cement its place and secure an Olympic berth should it prevail in the crucial away match against Oman Wednesday night.

Korea already beat Oman 2-0 at home last September, but this time, the problem lies in Korea’s low success rate in away games; Hong’s side drew with Qatar 1-1 and also was held to 1-1 by Saudi Arabia in its last two away games.

The U23 team had a week-long overseas training in Dubai, UAE, before arriving in Oman on Sunday to prepare for the Wednesday’s game. Hong insists that he believe his side can overcome the pressure of the game.

“We will put in everything to win the game and secure our berth to London,” Hong said.

Meanwhile, the senior national team is gearing up for its third-round Asian qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Winners and runners-up from Round 3 in five groups of four teams will advance to the final round of the Asian Qualifier for the 2014 tournament.

Korea, which is hoping to make it to its eighth consecutive World Cup finals, currently sits atop Group B. But it is only ahead of Lebanon on goal difference, while Kuwait is in third, just two points behind.

Newly appointed manager Choi Kang-hee knows that next week’s home clash against Kuwait is an absolute must-win. Korea will be eliminated from the competition if it loses to Kuwait on Feb. 29.

Choi, who took the helm of the Taegeuk Warriors in December, had his first official training in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province last week, and is scheduled to make his debut at the match against Uzbekistan on Saturday.

Choi has picked some veteran players from the local league, including 33-year-old striker Lee Dong-gook and 36-year-old midfielder Kim Sang-sik.

Thirty-year-old midfielder Kim Do-heon is also set to make his return to the national team for Korea’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Kuwait.

Choi also included defender Park Won-jae and Cho Sung-hwan from the K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai, noting that the team needs more experienced players for next week’s game.

“It’s a must-win game. We cannot risk employing young, inexperienced players,” he noted earlier.

Choi’s side is scheduled to play Uzbekistan in a friendly at the Jeonju World Cup stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. before playing the crucial game against Kuwait on Feb. 29 at 9 p.m. at Seoul World Cup stadium.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)