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Post Draw: Quotes and Analysis |
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Korea Republic
(KOR) |
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Coach: Guus Hiddink
There is no weak opponent here. Poland is one of the countries that qualified rather easily from Europe. Many people are going in thinking that Poland is one of the easier teams to beat, but that is totally wrong. Expectations are high but we know that we will have to bridge a gap in performance. I am realistic about the outcome – Korean football is not a world power… Nevertheless I am very enthusiastic about our prospects – the team has great potential, but we have to prepare and we will prepare very well.
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Poland
(POL) |
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Coach: Jerzy Engel
Poland has nothing to lose in this World Cup. Anything is possible in the hunt for second place. I have every confidence in my young team which scored 21 goals in qualification. Korea Republic will start the competition off strongly – they are technically gifted and tough at the back. Portugal has a very good team and a lethal weapon by the name of Luis Figo. He can score, pass the ball - he can do everything. I remember how well he played against England at EURO 2000.
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USA
(USA) |
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Coach: Bruce Arena
It's certainly difficult playing a host country, which we'll have to do in our second game. I am not familiar with the Korean team, but we have the opportunity to play them twice in the next month. Poland had a very good run in qualifiers. Portugal have a great group of attacking players. I voted for Luis Figo for FIFA World Player of the Year and Rui Costa is an outstanding playmaker. Obviously they are strong in many positions.
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Portugal
(POR) |
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Coach: Antonio Oliveira
No matter how it looks to others, this is not an easy group. You have to remember that Korea are playing at home and that is always an advantage. We’ve never played South Korea - we’ve only once played North Korea in 1966. Our generation has a very good memory of that match, when Eusebio scored five goals to lead us to victory.
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Group Analysis:
This is Portugal's first FIFA World Cup since Mexico 86, where they lost to group rivals Poland 1-0. While Portugal, who had defeated England in their opening match, failed to progress to the next stage after going down 1-3 to group-winners Morocco in their final match. Poland, despite a 0-3 defeat to England in their final fixture, qualified for the Round of 16 where they were beaten by Brazil 4-0.
The other two teams have become regulars over recent years, but with different levels of success. Korea have disputed the last four FIFA World Cups since 1986 without winning a single match, whilst the USA are at their third successive tournament, having reached the last 16 and lost to eventual winners Brazil by the odd goal on home soil in 1994.
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