Korea Aims for Top 16 at Under-20 World Cup
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
A team of Korea's most talented young footballers will vie for a place in the top 16 in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt next month.
That's the goal for the Korean squad, managed by Korean football legend Hong Myung-bo.
``Our aim is advancing to the last 16 first," Hong said at a press conference just before training, Monday.
Korea will be joined by Cameroon, Germany and United States in the group stage. The team has not advanced to the top 16 at the tournament in six years.
``The competition is strong. I have been doing video analysis, but there is no team that has any real eye-catching weakness," the 40-year-old boss said.
``Instead of deciding who we need to beat in the tournament, we are going to focus on the first match against Cameroon.
``If we get a good result in the first match, it will relieve the pressure in the next two games.
``Cameroon has an advantage over us in physical ability, and their speed and power is also much better.''
Hong added, ``But they also get excited more easily, which can definitely have a bad effect on the game. If we sustain our style and control the game, we will have a chance to grab a victory.''
``The most important match is probably the first match against Cameroon," U-20 national team midfielder Gu Ja-cheol said.
``All the players are focused on the first match to ensure we play our best.''
Hong, though, addressed the team's lack of international experience.
``It is true that my boys don't have enough experience playing against international competition. But I will try to get a good result to help build confidence going forward," he said.
But Hong downplayed press worries that the team lacks a big name.
``Many people think and say that there are no star players but I have confidence that my boys are the best Korean players of that age,'' he said.
``We are competitive and we will maximize our teamwork and do our best to prepare for the competition.''
The U-20 national team train at the National Football Center (NFC) before heading for the United Arab Emirates Sept. 12.