S.Korea outclass Australia

September 5, 2009

South Korea outclassed Australia 3-1 in a friendly on Saturday in what coach Huh Jung-Moo said was a useful work-out ahead of next year’s World Cup.

The South Koreans, who in June won their seventh consecutive berth at the World Cup finals, quickly gained control against the Socceroos when Park Chu-Young scored after only four minutes.

The hosts doubled their advantage on 20 minutes when Lee Jang-Soo scored from close range.

Australia, who also qualified for South Africa next year, struck back in the 33rd minute when Patrick Kisnorbo headed home a free-kick.

But South Korea’s Seol Ki-Hyeon headed in a cross from Manchester United star and national captain Park Ji-Sung in the 87th minute to make the game safe.

“Australia is a team that is on a level with European teams in terms of having a strong defence,” coach Huh was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.

“The match gave us an opportunity to examine what we should do in facing teams of such level and what areas to supplement.”

The South Koreans finished the World Cup Asian qualifying round on top, while North Korea and Japan also reached the finals.

SEOUL (AFP)

Tags: Australia, berth, chu, close range, four minutes, free kick, huh, jang, Japan, ji sung, lee jang soo, Lee Jang-, Manchester, manchester united, news agency, North Korea, Patrick Kisnorbo, S. Korea, seol, seoul, socceroos, south korea, south koreans, strong defence, Sung, world cup finals

Qotbi gets vote of confidence as Iran coach

July 9, 2009

TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran on Wednesday kept faith with coach Afshin Qotbi agreeing a new 18-month contract despite the team’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Iranians, a traditional powerhouse of Asian football, were dumped out of the World Cup qualifiers in the closing matchday of Asia’s qualifying final round last month, only managing a 1-1 draw against South Korea.

Iranian-American Qotbi vowed to resurrect the team’s fortunes in the forthcoming Asian Cup after the Iranians’ disappointing performance in the World Cup campaign.

Speaking after signing an 18-month contract with the Iranian Football Federation, Qotbi said: “I will harness all of our football human wealth and my coaching knowledge to make Team Melli Asia’s champion,” the ISNA news agency reported.

Qotbi was brought in after the Iranian football federation sacked two home grown coaches, Ali Daei and Mohammad Mayelikohan, in quick succession due to poor performances and disputes over tactics.

The American-trained coach previously worked with the US national team before a long stint assisting Dutch coaches Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat and then Pim Verbeek with the South Koreans.

The Iranians’ hopes for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar are looking bright: they head group E ahead of their next fixtures against Singapore, Thailand and Jordan.

Qotbi blamed poor preparation for the lack of success in the World Cup effort.

“I talked to the football federation to furnish us a special plane for our away matches, prepare the ground for friendly matches with worthy teams,” he said.

“These items were on my mind when I was negotiating with the federation and my salary as coach was my least concern,” he said.

“We should plan in a way so when we are in Brazil (2014 World Cup) we should be able to make it to the second round,” he added.

Iran are hoping for a return to their heyday they enjoyed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s when they were Asian champions three times.

The Iranians managed to reach two World Cups after the 1979 Islamic revolution: in France (1998) and in Germany (2006).

Team Melli’s only win in the event was at the French tournament when they overcame arch foes United States 2-1.

Following the South Korea match, two leading players – Ali Karimi and skipper Mehdi Mahdavikia – resigned from the national team amid rumours some of the squad were being punished for wearing green armbands in support of the political opposition.

Iranian authorities dismissed the claims as “lies and mischievous acts.”