Korean footballers not afraid of facing tall Germans

Germany's strength in the air has been one of Korea's concerns ahead of their clash. 

The European side has 11 players at least 185 cm tall, with defender Niklas Suele listed as the tallest player on the squad at 194 cm.

Korea's tallest field player is forward Suk Hyun-jun, who is listed at 189 cm, and five other field players, excluding goalkeepers, are over 185 cm.

Despite the discrepancy, Korean captain Jang Hyun-soo, who is 185 cm tall, said the players are confident of defending the tall Germans.

"We can't just increase our height," he said after the team's training at Pituacu Stadium. "It's true we have a disadvantage in terms of height, but we just need to prepare hard."

Jang is a versatile player who can start as a defensive midfielder, a center back and a fullback. He added players will work together to deny Germans in the air.

"I think center backs Choi Kyu-baek and Jung Seung-hyun and myself aren't small players," he said, referring to the 185 cm defenders. "If we can block Germany's passing lanes and our short guys get the loose ball, I don't think we will have big problems in set pieces."

Jang, who plays with China's Guangzhou R&F, is one of the three overage players on the squad, along with FC Porto striker Suk and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min. 

The men's Olympic football tournament of 16 nations is open to players under the age of 23, but teams can also field up to three players who are over the age limit, known as wild cards.

The 24-year-old said he is consistently talking with young defenders to build up their defensive tactics.

"We are still working on it, but many things have gotten better after meetings," Jang said.

Goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun, who started against Fiji, also said there is no problem of working with defenders because they frequently have conversations.

"We are currently working on tactics on set piece defense," he said. "I will cooperate with defenders not to concede a goal and put my utmost efforts to collect a victory."

Gu, who plays for Japanese club Consadole Sapporo, is the tallest player on the squad at 196 cm. The goalkeeper said he will show his forte against Germany if he starts.

"I think my strength is that I know how to handle the ball in the air," he said. "As a player, it's obvious that you want to play in games. But even if I don't play, I will support my teammates to collect a win." (Yonhap)