Defeat the US and Head for the Round of 8

“Defeat the US, and establish the bridgehead for the round of 8!”

The spirits are high for the Korean team that is preparing for the first game of the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship, which has begun on August 13, in Finland.

The 16 contestant countries are divided into four groups. The teams that rank first and second of each group after the preliminary games will be heading for the round of 8. Korea`s competitors in group D are Spain, a likely winner, the US and Sierra Leon. The Korean team is determined to win the first game against the US on 14th, and join the round of 8 for the first time in 16 years after the 1987 games in Canada.

Prospects seem bright, for during the Championship in Canada, Korea won over the US by 4 to 2, and won a complete victory of 3 to 0, over the US, last May in Busan.

Yang Dong-hyun will be leading the Korean team`s attack. Yang, who recorded 2 goals when playing against the US, has been showing great physical conditions lately, scoring consecutively in practice games with Finland and Cameroon. In addition, Uh Kyoung-jun, a substitute striker for the second half, is very fast and has preeminent skills.

The American player of whom the Koreans have to be aware is Freddie Adu, namely “Pele junior.” Adu, 14 and from Ghana, is 1.77 m tall and weighs 68 kg. He possesses the typical flexibility of an African, outstanding skills and a great sense for scoring. Recording 2 goals and 1 assist at the North and Central Americas` preliminary games and leading the US team to the second round, Adu attracted much attention for being offered to be transferred to Inter Milan, a prestigious Italian football team.

Yoon Duk-yeo, the Korean team coach, said that, “rather than marking one-by-one, the defense will cooperate and mark Adu, the striker. We are sure to win if Yang and others could attack well.”

Sang-Ho Kim hyangsan@donga.com