S. Korea’s Olympic team to face Iraq

The South Korean men’s Olympic football team will face Iraq on June 1 at home, the sport’s local governing body said Tuesday.

The Korea Football Association said the location and time of the friendly against Iraq had not yet been determined. It said the match will help South Korea prepare for a showdown against Jordan, another Middle Eastern opponent, during the regional qualification for the 2012 London Olympics in June.

“Iraq is a traditionally strong team, and the players have good physiques, typical of Middle East nations,” said South Korean head coach Hong Myung-bo. “It will be a good learning experience for us against a Middle East team ahead of our Asian Olympic qualification against Jordan.”

Players under the age of 23 are eligible for the Olympics, but nations can select up to three players over that age limit as so-called “wild cards.”

At the U23 level, South Korea has beaten Iraq twice in three matches and lost another.

South Korea will face Jordan in the second round of the Asian qualification. 

(Yonhap News)