Ji-Sung Park, MU’s famous South Korean star, is talking the country’s World Cup hopes up in the press….
Park spoke of the comparisons of manager Dick Advocaat to previous national hero, Guus Hiddinck, and predicts South Korea to outperform expectations once again:
“Both are stubborn and have strong personalities. While Hiddink cared more for stability and defence, Advocaat likes to focus more on offence and is more aggressive. The national team has gotten younger compared to 2002. As a result, we are lacking in experience. But having more young players could also energize us.”
While South Korea were shock semi-finalists as co-hosts in 2002, hopes of a repeat have been previously played somewhat down.
The team does indeed have a younger look than in 2002. Advocaat says there is a “very good feeling” in the camp as the June 9th curtain raiser approaches.
Drawn in an open-looking group with unpredictable former champions France, solid Switzerland and debutants Togo, South Korea fancy their chances of at least reaching the knockout phase.
Advocaat’s, who led Holland to the semi-finals of Euro 2004, more aggressive approach than former coaches Jo Bonfrere and Guus Hiddinck- has met with a positive reaction from the other players on the team as well.
Lee Young-Pyo, who plays for Tottenham in the Premiership has noticed the change saying he could “see the difference with the players from November and now,” in reference to the new regime.
To chat about the World Cup and who you think is going to star, you can visit Park’s very own fan site forum, where there is also a fantastic prize to be won- a Man Utd. shirt, hand-signed by Park himself!!