Park Ji-sung has said that he is hoping his national side South Korea to make it to the knockouts in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. South Korea has been slotted in Group H. The other teams in that group are Algeria, Belgium and Russia.
According to Park, his country could have got a harder group than this and then, it would have been very difficult for them to quality for the knockouts. But, now, with this group, they have got a very good chance.
South Korea’s World Cup performances have been quite good in the last one decade or so. During the 2002 World Cup which they had hosted along with Japan, the Taegeuk Warriors had stunned a lot of people by make their way into the semi final round.
Even in the last World Cup which had been organized in South Africa, South Korea had managed to qualify for the pre quarter final round.
This would be the first occasion after Park’s international debut that South Korea would go into a World Cup without him. He had featured for his country in the last 3 World Cups.
Talking to the reporters about South Korea’s chances in the upcoming World Cup, Park said, “We need to make a good start. The opening game will be crucial. If we manage to do well in that game, it will get us going.”
“It’s good for us that we are not in group of death, but, we must not take any opponent lightly. Russia and Belgium are quality sides.”
“We have got a talented squad and if we go into the tournament well prepared, I think we can make it to the knockouts.”
South Korea’s first match in the World Cup will be against Russia.