Asia Cup 2009 :: Koreans sound early warning to rivals at Asia Cup

Reigning Asian Games gold medallists South Korea have sounded an early warning to their rivals that they plan to add the Asia Cup to their collection and secure the automatic berth to the 2010 World Cup.

The Koreans have won the Asia Cup twice – in Hiroshima (1994) and Kuala Lumpur (1999).

Coach Lim Jung-woo is confident that his young team will kick off their campaign by bagging all three points when they play Malaysia in the opening tie at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium here today.

The two teams are in Group A with Japan and Bangladesh.

“Our aim is to win the title. And I am sure we can walk away with all three points against Malaysia. Our initial target is the semi-final but there is no reason why we cannot go all the way,” he said after a training session yesterday.

Jung-woo was the coach when they captured the gold medal at the Doha Asian Games in 2006. He made his debut as national coach in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where the Koreans finished fourth.

The former national player said although they had left behind several top players, “those who are in Kuantan are very talented and will be able to handle the pressure”.

“We have a good mix and there are enough experienced players to guide the youngsters. Our preparation has been short but it will not affect us as the players are fit,” he said.

There are only five players in the team with more than 100 caps. They are You Hyo-sik (154 caps), skipper Cha Jong-bok (146), Lee Nam-yong (140), Yoon Sung-hoon (132) and Hong Eun-seong (116).

They have also included three players who will be making their international debuts. They are Park Hyung-bong, Kang Seong-hwan and Lee Suck-ho.

Jung-woo said the oldest player in their squad is 32-year-old Ro Jung-hwan.

After their opening tie against Malaysia, the Koreans will meet Japan on Monday followed by Bangladesh the next day.

But it will be their opening tie against Malaysia which will give a clear indication of the Koreans’ strength.