Stielike says composure will be key

SYDNEY (Yonhap) ― With his South Korean team set to take on host Australia in the AFC Asian Cup final on the weekend, coach Uli Stielike said Friday that composure will be the key to success.

“Our team has a lot of young and inexperienced players,” Stielike said at the prematch press conference on the eve of the final at Stadium Australia. “It’s important for us to play with composure before 80,000 fans.”

The kickoff between the 69th-ranked South Korea and the 100th-ranked Australia will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday local time, or 6 p.m. in Seoul.

Though South Korea defeated Australia 1-0 on Jan. 17 in group play, Stielike predicted “a difficult” match because Australia won’t rest some of its best players as it did two weeks ago.

“In terms of tactics and lineup, Australia will be a different team,” he said.

“We’ve won every match so far without conceding a goal. Our players will take the field with confidence.”

The AFC said the final will be played before a sellout crowd of some 80,000 at Stadium Australia.

South Korea has also enjoyed a large following so far and will likely draw around 10,000 fans on Saturday.

Stielike said both teams should try to engage in a memorable match for the fans in the stands, adding that it’s important for his youthful players to deal with the pressure of trying to end South Korea’s 55-year title drought at the Asian Cup.

“I think the pressure will be the biggest factor,” he added. “But if we can control it, we should be able to win.”

Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, Stielike’s captain, said it was an “honor” to play in the final.

“We know all about Australia, having already played them in the group stage,” he said.

“We will let our play do all the talking. I am pleased to face Australia, one of the best teams in Asia, in the final.”