Dong-hyun and Jo-kook, Two Strikers "Pay back the Senior’s Debt"

“Golden Two Forwards” Jung Jo-kook and Kim Dong-hyun will beat the Tank Squad.

The playing style of the German team is similar to that of the adult national team. The style is described as seeking for the toughness in the monotony. In addition, German coach Ulli Stielike, who was a famous defender, added irregular tactics which has caused surprise attacks on the opponents in organizing their defense.

Korean killers striking the German net are Jung Jo-kook (Anyang LG) and Kim Dong-hyun (Oita Trinita) duo. The Jung-Kim duo, who scored ten goals this year together, are tall figures; 183 cm tall and 185 cm tall respectively. They are the well-conditioned players to blast a goal past the German net, defended by players with outstanding physiques.

Jung Jo-kook, brimming with a fighting spirit, said, “I have waited for this first match by counting down the days with my fingers. I will score the first goal to make the first step to advance to the semi-final.” Kim Dong-hyun also said, “We can definitely win if we have the mindset of viewing this first match as our final match.”

Korea will play with its full force by putting “an ace in the hole” Choi Sung-kook (Ulsan Hyundai) in the match against Germany.

Decisive factors which we have to watch.

This championship was postponed in March because of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic which has allowed for several changes in both team’s roster. For Korea, Park Joo-young (Chungjoo high school), Lee Ho (Ulsan) and Han Jae-ung (Busan) have newly joined the squad. The German team also had considerable player movements. Though Germany announced its seven best players were not available due to the schedule of the European league, whether the team is weakened is still not sure until the match actually starts.

Another concern is whether Korea team can shake off its jinx of performing poorly at the first match of a major tournament. Korea always has been troubled in these situations except for the victory against Poland at the World Cup last year. The World Youth Championship has not been an exception. Korea was defeated by Scotland 0-2 at the first match of Group Round of 1983 Mexico Championship which it made a semi-final miracle and in the 1999 Championship in Nigeria, Korea also lost the first match to Portugal by a score of 1-3.

There is no surprising event.

Europe’s dark horse, Slovakia, trounced host United Arab Emirates 4-1 this day, dominating the opening match of the FIFA World Youth championship from the start.

Slovakia trampled down United Arab Emirates loose defense in the opening game of the Group A match, held at Al Jaed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Slovakia tied 0-0 with Korea at the Suwon Cup in the four-country invitation tournament last month. Milos Brezinsky headed in a corner shot just five minutes into the match, taking the initiative to warn a strong blast in this Championship.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com