Soccer: South Korean fans brace for game

SEOUL - More than 6.5 million South Koreans are expected to take to the streets today to watch on giant screens their team's semifinal against Germany in Seoul.

Police said they would deploy more than 40,000 officers and other personnel in crowd control.Last Saturday, five million red-clad South Korean fans flooded the country to watch their team beat Spain and become the first Asian team in cup history to reach the semifinals.

"We guess more than 6.5 million people will gather to support our soccer team nationwide," a senior police officer said, adding that 5000 more policemen would be on duty than for Saturday's quarter-final.

This year there has been a noticeable lack of violence linked to soccer hooliganism, which has marred previous cups.

Pictures of orderly fans swiftly clearing the streets and gathering up litter after brief, albeit passionate, post-match celebrations in South Korea have predominated.

But police in South Korea and Japan, the cup co-hosts, remain on high alert, particularly against September 11-style attacks.

South Korean authorities have police in reserve and the military has anti-aircraft missiles guarding the country's 10 cup stadiums.

Police estimate that 13 million people - almost 30 per cent of South Korea's population of 48 million - took to the streets for the team's five matches to date.

The Defence Ministry said it planned to stick to its usual security programme, placing sniper squads and trucks with anti-biochemical gear at the Seoul stadium where the semifinal is scheduled to begin at 11.30pm (NZ time).

About 100 people suffered minor injuries during street festivals last Saturday.

- REUTERS

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