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From the Korea Herald:

Most Koreans expect Japan to flop in World Cup: poll





From news reports


The majority of South Koreans expect Asian rivals Japan to be knocked out of the World Cup in the first round, according to a survey.

A poll conducted by the Japan Research Centre and Gallup in South Korea found that 64 percent of South Koreans expected Japan to fall at the first hurdle next month.

Only 12 percent of Japanese polled believed 2002 semifinalists South Korea would fail to reach the knockout stages.

South Koreans were optimistic about their own team's chances too with 42 percent saying they would reach the last four in Germany.

The most likely scenario for Japan, according to the home fans polled, was a last-16 finish with 27 percent saying the Asian champions would match their performance four years ago when co-hosting the tournament.

However, 20 percent of Japanese believed their team would fail to get beyond the first round.

Just 51 percent of Japanese said they were interested in the World Cup, in contrast to 93 percent in South Korea.

The survey was conducted in April.

Japan, playing in their third World Cup finals, are drawn alongside holders Brazil, Croatia and Australia in Group F.

South Korea take on 1998 champions France, Switzerland and Togo in Group G in their sixth straight appearance in the finals and seventh overall.

Korean coach Dick Advocaat named a balanced and versatile squad on Thursday for next month's World Cup finals in Germany.

South Korea, who reached the last four in the 2002 World Cup finals on home soil before losing to Germany, meet Togo in their opening Group G game on June 13.

"We think we have a very balanced squad and one that can surprise a lot of people in the world," Advocaat told a news conference.

"We are capable of at least the second round," he said, adding that anything can happen in a major tournament when it gets to the knock-out stages.

The squad blends well-known players who have established their reputations by playing in Europe with those who have continued to develop at home.

"We have players who have already played in the World Cup finals," said Advocaat, adding that his team would be helped by that experience and their international exposure.

Korea suffered a lengthy hangover following the 2002 World Cup and the departure of highly-successful Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

Both of Hiddink's immediate successors, Portugese Humberto Coelho and another Dutchman, Jo Bonfrere failed to sustain the high standards set at Japan-Korea 2002.

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