Korea’s Next Opponent Is Costa Rica

Korea’s national soccer team will play Costa Rica on February 12 at 8:00 a.m. (Korea time) at the Oakland Coliseum, California. SBS TV will air the match live.

It will be a meaningful match because unlike the European and U.S. teams Korea has played so far, Costa Rica has superior speed and excellent individual skill, according to Korean national team manager Dick Advocaat. “I want to see us dominate the game with our improved passing skills,” he said.

For the “Ticos” (Costa Rican players), 2006 Germany will be their second consecutive appearance in the main round of the World Cup after a successful 2002 run. Costa Rica recently defeated the U.S. national team, 3-0 in an evaluation match.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com