S. Korean football coach not underrating Fiji

By Park Jae-hyuk

South Korea’s first match against Fiji at the Rio Olympics will not be easy, coach Shin Tae-yong said Wednesday.

“Fiji may not be good on techniques, but physically they’re a tough team,” Shin told reporters during a press conference before the start of men’s Group C football matches.

South Korea will play Fiji (on Friday, KST), Germany (Aug. 8) and Mexico (Aug. 11). The country, which won a bronze medal four years ago, has set the same goal ― to get on the Olympic podium again.

Shin assumed Fiji will play a defensive game from the start, sitting back and crowding the box. "I don't know how Fiji will come out, but I want our players to perform without any psychological burden," he said.

While saying his team should avoid injuries, Shin said key player Son Heung-min will play from the first match.

“I initially planned to rest him for the first match, but I'll play him at least for a few minutes in the second half so that he can mesh with the rest of the team,” Shin said. Due to club commitments, the Tottenham Hotspur winger was the last to join the team and missed tune-up matches against Iraq and Sweden.

Coaches in Group C also pledged to do their best to win.

Fiji’s coach Frank Farina said South Korea is “an experienced team which won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics.” But he said the Fijians will be competitive.

Asked about Shin, Farina said: “He is a gentleman. He was a great player and now has become a famous coach.” The coaches worked together 10 years ago at Brisbane Roar FC in Australia. Farina was in charge of the team while Shin served as a player and assistant coach.

South Korea’s next competitors, Germany and Mexico, also showed their confidence.

Germany’s coach Horst Hrubesch said: “Our players recognize South Korea well, but we are focusing on Mexico right now.”

Mexico’s coach Raul Gutierrez said: “The first match against Germany is most important, but experience is our strongest advantage.”