|
HOLLAND'S Arsenal connection have played down fears that the Dutch peaked too early for France 98; disappointing badly against Belgium after enjoying an impressive build-up to the World Cup finals during which they put five goals past both Nigeria and Paraguay.
Last weekend's goalless bore against the equally unimpressive Belgians raised doubts about their chances of success in this tournament but, as they look forward to today's clash with group minnows South Korea, Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp feel sure that last Saturday's performance was just a blip and they will return to the goal trail against the Koreans.
Bergkamp, who will start the match after coming on as a second-half substitute in the first game, said: ''It's difficult to be in top condition right at the start of a long competition. We'll need one or two matches to be functioning at full throttle and we should play better against Korea.''
Overmars added: ''I'm confident. I thought we played quite well against Belgium and we'll only get better. We have players from some of the best clubs in Europe, and for two years now our entire squad has been gaining experience and improving. We owe it to ourselves to prove our worth in this competition.''
Overmars stressed that there are none of the splits in the Dutch camp that marred USA 94 and Euro 96. ''The atmosphere in the squad is good,'' he said. We know each other well enough to accept criticism, and everyone of us has something to contribute.
''One of our strengths at the moment, unlike in previous tournaments, lies in the spirit and communication between the players. Everyone is on the same footing. The relations are much better, and consequently the understanding on the pitch is better.''
South Korea's top players, meanwhile, see tomorrow's game as a way of securing a lucrative contract with a European team. Only two players - Strasbourg's Seo Jung-Won and Noh Jung-Yun, who plays for Dutch side NAC Breda - are based on the continent.
Korean players are notoriously insular. But the mood is changing, and Seo has urged his team-mates to put themselves in the shop window with good performances against Bergkamp and Co.
''I've adapted quickly to the situation with Strasbourg in France and have scored a few goals for the team,'' said midfielder Seo, who has recovered from measles and will start against Holland. ''I think other Korean players should try and move abroad - it would be good for their game and the nation as a whole.
Striker Choi Yong-Soo, top scorer with nine goals in World Cup qualifying, has openly advertised himself before kicking a ball in France 98. ''I'm tall and have a good build compared to other Asian players,'' he said. ''I'm powerful, have good technique and can head the ball well.''
Coach Cha Bum-Kun may be uncertain as to his starting line-up, but he knows what he wants the score to be. I'm hoping for a goalless draw against the Netherlands. If we take a point, then maybe we can beat Belgium to go through to the second round," he said.
Dutch coach Guus Hiddink , meanwhile, will not underestimate the Koreans who have not won any of their 12 games played at five finals. "It's easy to think it'll be a walkover but we've seen them against big teams. They are physically strong and really go into the tackles," he said.
Probable Teams:
Holland: - 1-Edwin van der Sar, 20-Aron Winter, 3-Jaap Stam, 4-Frank de Boer, 5-Arthur Numan, 14-Marc Overmars, 10-Clarence Seedorf, 11-Phillip Cocu, 12-Boudewijn Zenden, 7-Ronald de Boer, 8-Dennis Bergkamp.
South Korea: 1-Kim Byung-ji, 13-Kim Tae-young, 20-Hong Myung-bo, 5-Lee Min-sung, 14-Ko Jong-soo, 15-Lee Sang-yoon, 16-Jang Hyung-seok, 6-Yoo Sang-chul, 7-Kim Do-keun, 8-Noh Jung-yoon, 9-Kim Do-hoon.
|
 |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overmars v Kim Do-Hoon
|
 Flying Dutchman Marc Overmars will have given the South Korean defenders nightmares last night. His electric pace makes him a major threat against any side in the world and the Asians will have to stop him to stop Holland. Kim Do-Hoon will be hoping to be more of a danger up front than he was against Mexico and he will be helped by the return of strike partner, Choi Yong-Soo.
| Overmars | Kim Do-Hoon
| | Minutes On Pitch | 90 | 90
| | Goal Attempts | |
| | Goals | 0 | 0
| | Shots On Target | 0 | 0
| | Shots Off Target | 1 | 0
| | Blocked Shots | 3 | 0
| | Passing | |
| | Goal Assists | 0 | 0
| | Total Passes | 28 | 23
| | Pass Completion % | 82% | 74%
| | Crossing | |
| | Total Crosses | 5 | 0
| | Cross Completion % | 0% | 0
| | Dribbling | |
| | Dribbles & Runs | 11 | 3
| | Dribble Completion % | 73% | 33%
| | Defending | |
| | Tackles Made | 1 | 2
| | Tackles Won % | 100% | 50%
| | Blocks | 0 | 0
| | Clearances | 0 | 0
| | Interceptions | 2 | 0
| | Discipline | |
| | Fouls | 1 | 3
| | Offside | 0 | 1
| | Yellow Cards | 0 | 0
| | Red Cards | 0 | 0
| | Carling Opta Points Score | 975 | 185
|
Holland v South Korea: Trivia
These two countries have never met in international football.
Frank and Ronald de Boer are only the fourth set of twins to appear in a World Cup tournament. The only twins to play in a Final were also Dutch: Willy and Rene van de Kerkhof in 1978.
South Korea's defeat against Mexico was their 12th World Cup finals match, the most by a country that hasn't won any.
Against Mexico, He Seok-ju became only the second player to be sent off in a World Cup finals match after scoring a goal. The first was the great Garrincha of Brazil, who scored twice in the semi-final against Chile in 1962.
|
|
News 6 
