Korea aims to inch closer to Brazil

National team to attack Lebanon without captain Park Chu-young


Korea has long been a powerhouse in Asian football, and this year the Taegeuk Warriors are on the path to qualify for their eighth consecutive appearance in the World Cup.

Just one more victory will seal a berth in Asia’s final qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup. It can be clinched on Tuesday when Korea, which sits on top in Group B, faces runner-up Lebanon in Beirut.

In its previous encounter in September, manager Cho Kwang-rae’s side crushed the Middle Eastern team 6-0 at home. Cho admitted, however, that Tuesday’s away game would be different. 

Lebanon has improved since its loss to Korea, notching seven points against the UAE and Kuwait, while Cho’s side has been sluggish recently.

Although it managed to beat the UAE last week thanks to goals from Park Chu-young and Lee Keun-ho, the performance was rather disappointing.

Korea had no shot on target during the first 45 minutes and could not break the UAE’s defensive wall until Lee found the back of the net in the 87th minute and Park added one in extra time.

Since his appointment in 2010, Cho has been relying on a new tactic ― playing a short-passing game with fast-paced running.

This did not work against the UAE, largely due to the absence of key midfielders Lee Chung-young, who broke his leg in July and Ki Sung-yueng, who was sidelined with fatigue issues.

A squad change is inevitable as the two players will not be available again as well as striker Park Chu-young, who has scored six goals in the past four games, will miss Tuesday’s game because of suspension.

Moreover, young striker Ji Dong-won is struggling to find his rhythm, leaving only a few options for Cho.

Lee Keun-ho is expected to fill the void left by Park. Cho already noted that he would employ Lee as the lone striker with Son Heung-min supporting Lee instead of Ji.

The 20-year-old Son is not yet ripe for the national team, but the manager said he is now in great form and ready for a big role.

Playing an away game is always tricky, but playing in the Middle East is even more difficult as Korea will be forced to battle the blistering-hot weather and a large home crowd.

On top of that, Cho says, Korea has to overcome the poor pitch condition at Sports City Stadium in Beirut.

“The turf is bad, it cuts up the ball. Our midfielders will have some problems in passing,” Cho said.

But he added he can do nothing about the pitch, saying it is part of the game.

“Strong teams play their football under any circumstances,” he said.

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