Korea’s Last Match with Friends

“A game is still a game between friends.”

Korea will battle Turk warriors a third place in Daegu World Cup Stadium at 8.00 p.m. on June 29, and the face-off between the two most successful surprises is expected to be a serious business.

To most Koreans, Turkey is a brother’s country that sent a large contingent of troops to the Korean War. The two sides, however, are expecting a tough fight on the ground. In particular, the co-hosts look set to get even with the Turks for the 0-7 defeat in the 1954 Swiss World Cup games.

The two beaten semi-finalists, indeed, are ready to give their alls in the big showdown. The match would see two sides playing similar brands of high-speed attacking football.

After a goalless draw in the friendly match earlier this year in Germany, both the Turks and the Koreans are now all determined to fight hard and expect a happy ending of this year’s incredible journey.

Meanwhile, the nation team opened 15 minutes of their late afternoon training session in Gyungju Stadium to the press to keep their strategy secret. Turkey also visited Daegu World Cup Stadium later in the evening to adjust themselves to ground conditions.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com