Power Soccer VS Art Soccer

`Return match in 1 year.`

The Korean national soccer team is to face France once again after suffering a big defeat of 0-5 in the Confederations Cup on May 30, last year. The match will be held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 26th, and it is the last evaluation match for the both teams.

Korea has recently played with Scotland and England, and is to hold its last check-up against the world’s best team, France. The French team intends to have a proper `rehearsal` before the World Cup by letting in all the best members, including Zinedine Zidane and injured Thierry Henry.

▽“It’s Not The Same Korea As 1 Year Ago” = The Guus Hiddink division has become stronger during the past one year. Above all, stamina has increased, and pressure-soccer is also at high standard. The defense line has established a strong defensive wall that only allowed 2 goals in 7 matches recently, and the offensive power also has improved. Players gained confidence through the English match as well. Song Jong-Kuk anticipated, “I want a rematch with Lizarazu, who tackled me strong last year,” and Kim Nam-Il also said, “I can’t wait for France.” Coach Hiddink revealed confidence, “One year ago, we broke down at the midfield losing the ball so easily, but this time will be different.”

Hiddink’s plan is to focus on defense and seek fast breaks, just like in the match with England. Lee Young-Pyo and Song Jong-Kuk are to take the right and left wing-backs, forming a four-defender line, and the midfield is to be occupied by strong players like Yoo Sang-Chul, Park Ji-Sung, and Kim Nam-Il in inverse triangular form. Hwang Seon-Hong will take the lead in fast breaks. On the left of Hwang, Sul Gi-Hyun will replace injured Lee Cheon-Su, and on the right, Choi Tae-Wook will in. Ahn Jeong-Hwan is to be substituted in during the second half.

▽“France Has Become Stronger Than 1 Year Ago” = Zinedine Zidane, who missed last year’s match because of his team schedule, has joined. He is currently displaying mature performance that deserves the title `world’s best midfielder` with penetrating passes, smooth dribbling, and shooting that does not miss goal chances.

Zidane’s passing has improved the offensive line much more than last year. The forefront striker Trezeguet (Juventus) has scored the most goals in this season of Italy’s Serie A, and Henry (Arsenal) also earned the most goals in the English Premier League. Second-half substitute rookie Djibril Cisse is a rising star, who placed 2nd on the French League score list. The midfield gained more stability with Vieira’s joining. The four-back that connects through Lizarazu, Desailly, Leboeuf, and Christanval is still in good shape, and Barthez’s goal is narrow for opponents.

“Second consecutive World Cup championship is not impossible,” showed Zidane great confidence on the 24th, as he has fully adjusted to the team training in Ibusuki, Japan. The French team, which held a secret training session on the 24th, is to move to Korea on the 25th.

buddy@donga.com