S. Koreans on Saipan positive on Taeguk Warriors’ chances

South Koreans residing on Saipan are optimistic about the Taeguk Warriors’ chances in the 2015 Asian Cup.

South Korea’s Lee Keun-ho, left, and Uzbekistan’s Anzur Ismailov battle for the ball during their AFC Asia Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. (AP)

The South Koreans are now in the semis, following their 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals last Thursday at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne. In the semis, the Taeguk Warriors will play the dangerous Iraq side, which advanced to the Final Four after thwarting rival Iran in penalty shootout, 7-6. The South Korea-Iraq semis tiff is set for 8pm tonight (Australian time) at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, while host Australia and the United Arab Emirates will collide in the other Final Four pairing tomorrow at the same time at the Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.

“I am confident we can pull this one against Iraq and move closer to ending our Asian Cup title drought for 59 years,” said Kriss Kim, who has been residing on Saipan for about 10 years and plays for Sun Palace in the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s M-League.

“South Korea’s defense will be the key in stopping Iraq,” Kim added.

Entering their semis game against Iraq, the Taeguk Warriors have never conceded a single goal in the four wins they recorded.

Kim added that South Korea boosted its chance for the first Asian Cup crown in nearly six decades after title favorite and defending champion Japan lost in the quarterfinals. The Blue Samurai were stunned by UAE in the quarterfinals, losing in the shootout, 5-4. The Japan-UAE game ended at 1-1 at the regulation.

Kim will be watching the South Korea-Iraq game with his Sun Palace teammates, including Eugene Hong, who is also positive about the Taeguk Warriors’ chances in this year’s Asian Cup.

“When Japan lost, I felt it will be easier for us to get to the finals and hopefully win the Cup,” said Hong, who loves hosting friends in his San Antonio home.

“It’s always nice to watch games with your friends, especially when you’re cheering for one team. Even though we’re away from home, we can still feel that pride when we root for our team, especially when they are winning,” Hong said.

The Sun Palace team captain expect the South Korea-Iraq game to be physical and hopes midfielder Son Heung-Min and captain Ki Sung Yueng will continue to step up in place of two key players who will miss the remaining games due to injuries.

“Iraq is a tough team and I bet they will go all out there in the semifinals, so South Korea, even though they are favored, have to be very careful,” Hong said.

Iraq so far has recorded the most yellow cards with 12, but has the second best shooting percentage (54.29) behind South Korea (55 percent). It faced South Korea twice (1972 and 2007) before tonight’s match with both games ending in scoreless draws.

If they are given a chance to pick South Korea’s finals foe once the Taeguk Warriors make it to the championship, both Hong and Kim wish for UAE.

“Australia has some of players who are in Euro leagues, while UAE players are playing in local leagues, so the hosts have the slight advantage. Plus, they have the home crowd,” Hong said.

‘We’re kind of hoping that Japan would win against UAE so that when Japan and Australia face in the semifinals they will be both tired because that would have been a very difficult game and in the finals South Korea will be a bit fresher and will have the advantage. However, Japan lost, so it’s a different scenario now, but still we like our team’s chances this year,”Kim said.