South Korean national football team captain Ki Sung-yueng said Wednesday that the players are fully motivated to deliver a victory against Lebanon at the second Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
South Korea, 57th in the FIFA rankings, face No. 145-ranked Lebanon at 8 p.m. Thursday at Ansan Wa Stadium in Ansan, south of Seoul, for their Group G match of the Asian qualification. The Taeguk Warriors have already clinched the top seed in their group with six straight wins, and are through to the final round of the regional qualification regardless of the match against Lebanon.
Ki, who plays with English Premier League club Swansea City, said the fact that they have already booked a spot in the next qualification round could have helped players relax and lowered their intensity within the team. But that isn't the case this time, he insisted.
"Every South Korean will watch our match and since there is competition among players, we are staying alert," Ki said in a press conference at Ansan Wa Stadium. "We are fully motivated and ready to show our best efforts until the end of the match."
Ki said that the players are also aware of the team's pursuit of the national record for most consecutive clean sheet wins. By shutting down Lebanon, South Korea can tie the record at seven. So far in the second round, South Korea have scored 23 goals and surrendered none in six matches.
"We have been playing shutout matches and I hope our efforts (for the record) to continue," he said. "We haven't dealt with a lot of pressure for this match, but on the national team, players know they have to produce results."
Ki, who has one goal in 26 Premier League matches this season, has recently been battling injuries. Last month, he took a two-day break after suffering a minor concussion against West Bromwich Albion. Then earlier this month, he suffered an ankle injury and missed a match against Norwich City on March 6. But the 27-year-old midfielder said he is ready to play just like any other player on the team and will show what he can do best on the pitch.
"We are playing the first international match of the year, and the team atmosphere is great," he said. "Our players are working hard to collect a sweet victory." (Yonhap)
