Koreans seek to shock Argentina

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung insists his South Korean side are capable of defeating Argentina when the unbeaten Group B rivals clash on Thursday at the World Cup.

Last Saturday Argentina, one of the sides tipped to lift the trophy in the final on July 11, were impressive in their 1-0 win over Nigeria, while South Korea enjoyed a 2-0 win over Greece as both sides started their campaigns.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona will be looking to tighten his defence against the live-wire South Korean attack led by Manchester’s Park.

He was the man-of-the-match against the Greeks and scored a second-half goal after team-mate Lee Jung-Soo gave the Koreans an early lead.

The Koreans play Argentina at Soccer City, which will host the final, and Park says his side have nothing to fear if they can play with the same intensity they produced against Greece.

“Argentina are the best team in our group, but if we play as a team like we did (against Greece) we’re capable of getting a result,” said Park on FIFA.com.

His coach Huh Jung-Moo said his side are growing in confidence since their win and can upset the star-studded Argentina team.

He participated at Mexico 1986 as a player where he faced Diego Maradona, his rival in the dugout on Thursday.

“We’ll give it our best shot, because my players can only grow in stature against opponents of their calibre,” said the 55-year-old.

“Argentina are among the favourites but we have good players, too.

“In football the lesser teams are always capable of beating the bigger ones.”

Despite dominating the Nigerians, Argentina only managed a single goal early on through Gabriel Heinze and Maradona says his side must improve their finishing against Korea.

Maradona will also shore up his defence. Having played a back three against Nigeria, he is set to play a 4-3-1-2 formation and add AS Roma’s Nicolas Burdisso to the defence.

Jonas Gutierrez may keep his place in the side, particularly if veteran deep midfielder Juan Veron does not recover from a calf strain.

“There will not be any surprises,” said Maradona, who looks likely to make Lionel Messi the link man behind Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain, having played all three as out and out attackers against Nigeria.

Maradona has warned that his Argentina side will not fear any opponent at the World Cup as they continue their quest for a third global title.

The key to winning the title will be whether or not Maradona can harness the full ability of world player of the year Lionel Messi.

Leading into the tournament, the 22-year-old has endured difficult times in the blue and white shirt under Maradona.

He still averages less than a goal every three games at international level, a disappointing tally for such a gifted player.

Having failed to convert so many of their chances, Argentina’s ability to finish will be the something Maradona will be looking to see improved against the Koreans.

Key to the match

South America’s magician meets Asian flair as Argentina’s attacking maestro Messi goes up against South Korea’s Park, who will be looking to pull off an upset.

Dubbed ‘double-hearted oxygen tank’, Park’s exceptional work-rate and runs down the middle of the flanks will keep Argentina’s defenders busy.

With both sides unbeaten after one game, the winner will be virtually guaranteed a place in the Last 16 with his side.