Korea seeks to advance in U-20 WC against France
Published: 01 Aug. 2011, 20:33
Korea got off to a solid start in the tournament after beating Mali 2-0, Sunday. The team earned three points for the win, but is currently second in Group A because Colombia beat France 4-1 and leads on goal difference.
The winner and runner-up in each of the six four-team groups, as well as the top four third-place teams, will advance to the next round.
If Korea wins tomorrow, it will secure a spot in the round of 16. But if it loses or ties, the team might find it difficult to move on to the next round with its final group match against home-crowd favorite Colombia.
Thus, Korean football experts say, if the U-20 team wants to move on, it should probably get it out of the way against France. Korea’s head coach, Lee Kwang-jong, 47, admitted that it’s not going to be easy against last year’s winner of the U-19 European Championship, but said the young Korean athletes will put in their best effort.
“[France] is a better team than us,” Lee said to the Korean daily Ilgan Sports. “We will first build a solid defense, then mount a counterattack.”
Korea already showed some sharp counterattacks in its game against Mali. Kim Kyung-jung and Baek Sung-dong struck from both sides of the flank and were Korea’s main offense for much of the match. Kim scored the first goal in the 50th minute, while Baek earned a penalty that led to a goal in the 80th minute. The two are again expected to be the main attackers against France, along with striker Lee Yong-jae.
But coach Lee’s main concern will be on defense, with center back Hwang Do-yeon out of the competition thanks to a cheek-bone fracture he received against Mali. “I thought [Hwang] broke his nose, but it was his cheek bone, which needs surgery within 72 hours.” Lee said. “We need to start a reserve who has been doing well.”
According to FIFA rules, teams can pick a replacement for their World Cup rosters 24 hours prior to their first match, meaning Korea can only use a player from the squad it took with it.
Min Sang-ki or Kim Jin-su are expected to fill that role and pair with team captain Jang Hyun-soo, who scored the team’s second goal against Mali. But they might find it difficult against English Premier League players like Gael Kakuta and Gilles Sunu.
“French players have good individual skill and technique,” Lee said. “Since we have a good opportunity to qualify, we won’t be careless and will prepare for the remaining games.”
By Joo Kyung-don [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]
한글 관련 기사 [중앙일보]
[U - 20 월드컵 축구] 한국, 2-0 말리 제압 “프랑스도 나와라”
20세 이하(U-20) 청소년 축구대표팀이 31일(한국시간) 콜롬비아 보고타에서 열린 말리와의 2011 국제축구연맹(FIFA) U-20 월드컵 A조 조별리그 1차전에서 김경중(고려대)과 장현수(연세대)의 골을 묶어 2-0으로 이겼다. 해발 2600m 고지대에 위치한 경기장에 폭우가 쏟아져 경기가 한 시간 순연되는 상황에서도 끈기 있게 상대 문전을 두드린 한국의 공세가 돋보였다.
한국은 후반 5분 오른쪽 측면에서 임창우(울산)가 스로인한 공이 헤딩으로 처리하려던 이용재와 상대 수비 사이로 흘러 정면으로 떨어지자 안쪽으로 쇄도하던 김경중이 놓치지 않고 오른발로 마무리해 선제 결승골을 터뜨렸다. 후반 35분에는 장현수의 페널티킥 추가골로 말리의 추격의지를 완전히 꺾었다. 한국은 프랑스를 4-1로 제압한 개최국 콜롬비아와 나란히 승점 3점을 기록했다. 하지만 골득실에서 한 골이 뒤져 조 2위가 됐다. 한국은 3일 오전 7시 프랑스와 조별예선 2차전을 치른다.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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