Doha: Korea Republic are all set to face their toughest test at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship and the duo Yeon Jei-min and Ryu Seung-Woo are well aware of the challenge they face in today’s final.
The South Koreans are brimming with confidence, having already secured a berth in the Rio Olympic games, and believe they will be more than a match for their fellow East Asians in today’s eagerly-anticipated clash at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
The South Koreans booked their eight consecutive berth at the Olympics after beating hosts Qatar 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final while Japan sealed a six appearance with a 2-1 victory over inaugural champions Iraq.
And Korea Republic captain Yeon knows the quality of the opposition the central defender and his team-mates face when they contest continental glory on Saturday, with both sides having secured their place at Rio 2016.
“The final has a special significance as Japan are our opponents. We will put in our best efforts to win the championship,” said Yeon, who was featured for Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ during their 2015 AFC Champions League campaign.
“We know Japan are very organised. They have some very good players such as Shoya Nakajima, who we have seen score some amazing goals. But we also have a good midfield and we have many players who are capable of scoring goals.
“I will do my job, which is to defend, and let my teammates attack and score.”
Ten of Korea Republic’s 12 goals have come from midfielders, with Moon Chang-jin and Kwon Chang-hoon scoring four each, while nine different Japanese players have been on the scoresheet for the Samurai Blue. And it is Japan’s unity on the pitch, as well as the players’ technical ability and stamina, that make Makoto Teguramori’s side dangerous adversaries insists Ryu Seung-woo.
“Japan’s teamwork is great and they are very organised,” said the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who opened the scoring in the semi-final against Qatar.
“Their players are equipped with excellent technique and physical capability. They keep running throughout the match and we must be careful of these points. But we also have good teamwork, and our midfielders are very good at passing.”
The Peninsula
Doha: Korea Republic are all set to face their toughest test at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship and the duo Yeon Jei-min and Ryu Seung-Woo are well aware of the challenge they face in today’s final.
The South Koreans are brimming with confidence, having already secured a berth in the Rio Olympic games, and believe they will be more than a match for their fellow East Asians in today’s eagerly-anticipated clash at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
The South Koreans booked their eight consecutive berth at the Olympics after beating hosts Qatar 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final while Japan sealed a six appearance with a 2-1 victory over inaugural champions Iraq.
And Korea Republic captain Yeon knows the quality of the opposition the central defender and his team-mates face when they contest continental glory on Saturday, with both sides having secured their place at Rio 2016.
“The final has a special significance as Japan are our opponents. We will put in our best efforts to win the championship,” said Yeon, who was featured for Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ during their 2015 AFC Champions League campaign.
“We know Japan are very organised. They have some very good players such as Shoya Nakajima, who we have seen score some amazing goals. But we also have a good midfield and we have many players who are capable of scoring goals.
“I will do my job, which is to defend, and let my teammates attack and score.”
Ten of Korea Republic’s 12 goals have come from midfielders, with Moon Chang-jin and Kwon Chang-hoon scoring four each, while nine different Japanese players have been on the scoresheet for the Samurai Blue. And it is Japan’s unity on the pitch, as well as the players’ technical ability and stamina, that make Makoto Teguramori’s side dangerous adversaries insists Ryu Seung-woo.
“Japan’s teamwork is great and they are very organised,” said the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who opened the scoring in the semi-final against Qatar.
“Their players are equipped with excellent technique and physical capability. They keep running throughout the match and we must be careful of these points. But we also have good teamwork, and our midfielders are very good at passing.”
The Peninsula
