Soccer: Korea look to ditch disappointing tag in group D

SEOUL - Co-hosts South Korea are desperate to avoid ending their World Cup soccer campaign as one of the most disappointing performers in the tournament's history in group D where Portugal and Poland are expected to grab the leading roles.

No host nation has failed to get through the first round in the World Cup but Korea will have to win at least one game for the first time at their sixth appearance in the finals to avoid going out.

Although they have produced some encouraging performances in "friendlies", their Dutch coach Guus Hiddink knows they must open their campaign with a positive result against Poland in Pusan on June 4 to have a realistic chance of making an impression in the group.

One Korean farmer is donating his first rice crop of the season to the team to help them in their quest to reach the last 16. Home advantage could give them an extra edge.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose side only managed a 1-1 draw with Korean in a pre-World Cup "friendly", believes they can do more than just break their duck at the finals, however.

"They might be one of the surprises," the Swede said.

"They showed they are aggressive -- if you have too many touches on the ball against them, they will win it back. They can keep the ball and they're very quick. I was impressed."

Korea have improved under former Netherlands coach Hiddink. But like fellow group underdogs the United States, it is still a major challenge to compete with the likes of Portugal, who impressed many at Euro 2000 with their attacking game sparked by the brilliant form of Luis Figo.

Real Madrid's Figo, Fifa's world player of the year in 2001, has not been at his best in the last few months but is still one of the best players at the tournament.

The Portuguese are expected to open their account with a victory against the United States in Suwon on June 5.

The US squad have been living under tight security in Korea after the September 11 attacks.

The Americans have done well at previous World Cups, especially in reaching the last 16 in 1994 when the tournament was held on their home soil.

Their hope will be to beat the Koreans in the second game in Taegu on June 10 and try to scramble some points against the Poles and Portuguese.

Poland manager Jerzy Engel has been talking up the Koreans but they have done their homework.

Michal Listkiewicz, president of Poland's soccer association, has made it clear how he thinks the group D campaign will go.

"We will beat Korea 1-0, we will draw with Portugal 0-0 or 1-1 and we will defeat the United States 1-0 or 2-1," he said.

The big game in the group is likely to be Poland's clash with Portugal on June 10. The likelihood is that the winners of that match will win the group.

- REUTERS

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