Good News for Korea?

“Poland’s fattened Olisadebe fell short behind Korea’s defense wall. After all, it’s Korea’s victory. Meanwhile, Portugal defeated both U.S.A. and Poland with Figo’s great performance… Korea has advanced to the final 16.”

Of course, it is an `imaginary scenario`. In terms of objective strategies, however, Korea must defeat its first competitor Poland and wish that the last competitor Portugal beats U.S.A. and Poland, in order to make it to the final 16.

As the World Cup has drawn near within 50 days, such scenario is gaining dimensional effects. While Poland’s star-striker Olisadebe (24. Greece Panathinaikos) is suffering from a slump, Portugal’s genius-midfielder Luis Figo (30. Spain Real Madrid) has escaped the injury, making light steps.

A Nigeria-born, Olisadebe, who became a naturalized Pole, is not getting start-up opportunities, as former Paraguayan coach Sergio Markarian became the head of Panathinaikos. Due to that, the Polish press is even raising the possibility for conspiracy within the Greek clubs.

Besides, when the team was defeated by 0-2 in the Japanese match on the 27th last month, the press sharply criticized that “Olisadebe, who was just keeping the bench in the team, couldn’t run properly because he got fat.” Although Olisadebe protested that “it is only grown muscles,”he is still displeased.

As the Polish team, which depends on Olisadebe for half of its offense, is faced with a serious crisis, the Poland Football Association (PZPN) is trying to create some change in the mood by offering “5 times more bonus than Korea, in the case of advancing to the final 16 in the World Cup finals”.

The evaluation match with Romania on the 18th will be Olisadebe’s greatest crisis and also, his chance.

After being defeated by Finland, which Korea beat by 2-0 on the 28th, by 1-4, Portugal is singing a happy song, as Luis Figo recovered from injury.

Figo’s right ankle was injured during the match with FC Porto in Champions League on February 20, but he returned after a month by scoring a penalty-kick during the match with Spain Primera Liga (1st division professional soccer)’s Rayo Vallecano, in which he was substituted in the second half. He is to play for more time in the second match of Champions League’s final 8 with FC Bayern München on the 11th.

Portugal seems to be restoring itself from the nightmare of the Finnish match, as Figo is gaining back his normal physical conditions. Especially, when Brazil’s soccer king Pele complemented on him that “Portugal is just another team without Figo, but it is a strong championship candidate with Figo,” there was a great excitement. Now that Figo is back in the team, the evaluation match with the Brazilian national team in Lisbon on the 18th is gaining much attention.

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com