S. Korea's World Cup squad vows win against Iran

INCHEON, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean national football squad promised victory as they departed for Dubai on Thursday to prepare for a match with Iran, their keenest competitor in the Asian race for a berth to the 2010 World Cup.

"The athletes have done their best to play against Iran. Iran has powerful
football skills and is well organized," coach Huh Jung-moo said at Incheon
International Airport before departing for the team's fourth qualifying match.
"It will be a difficult game, but I will keep cool during the match. All players
are determined to win."
The squad will head first to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for training and
will have friendlies with Syria and Bahrain before the Feb. 11 qualifier against
Iran at Azadi Stadium.
South Korea, who seek their seventh consecutive World Cup tickets, lead Group B
of the final Asian qualifying with seven points, followed by Iran trailing by two
points. North Korea and Saudi Arabi are tied at fourth.
South Korea are ranked 42nd and Iran at 46th in world standings.
"We will clinch victory and gain a foothold to survive in the World Cup
qualifying competition," South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng said, hoping to
repeat the 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
Park Ji-sung of England's Manchester United FC, Lee Young-pyo of German Dortmund
FC, and Park Joo-young of French AS Monaco will join the squad next month.
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the qualifying round that will end
in June this year. The top two from each group are given berths in the World Cup
in South Africa, while the third-placed squads will start their own playoffs.
South Korea drew 1-1 with North Korea in September, downed the United Arab
Emirates 4-1 in October and defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in November.
The squad will face North Korea again in Seoul in April.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END