Iran's edge over Korea in Cup quarters

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 21 (AFP): Three-time champions Iran are looking to continue their quarter-final edge over South Korea at the Asian Cup here Sunday.
For the fourth consecutive tournament Korea and Iran are meeting in the quarter-finals, with the Iranians leading 2-1 on head-to-head meetings.
Iran outscored Korea 4-3 in the 2004 quarter-final, lost 2-1 after extra time in 2000 and thumped the Koreans 6-2 in 1996.
Overall the Iranians lead Korea 3-2 in matches at the tournament.
"This is a knockout match and it is very important for our team to concentrate and not make as many mistakes as our last few games," Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said Saturday.
"We know the Korean team very well because we have already played them in the qualifying matches.
"They are a very strong team and we have to work hard to correct the weak points that we have had in our earlier games.
"The important thing will be to play a disciplined tactical system. We have to concentrate on defence to counter the pace of the Koreans."
Ghalenoei said his side has an advantage over the Koreans having played all three of their previous games at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here.
"By winning the group, we improved our team spirit and we also won the right to stay here for the knockout stage," he said.
"We have been here now for over two weeks so we are familiar with the environment, the climate and all of the facilities."
Iran, who won a hat-trick of Asian Cups from 1968-1976 but are seeking their first Asian Cup title in 31 years after beating Bahrain 4-2 in the third place playoff at the 2004 tournament in China.
Should Iran get past the Koreans they have the incentive of a likely semi-final here against Iraq, who they last beat 1-0 in the group phase of the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon.
South Korea's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek says challenges don't come bigger for his team than beating Iran.
"Since our arrival here most people we have talked to have said that Iran are one of the strongest teams and they are one of the favourites to win the Asian Cup," Verbeek said Saturday.
"I think that they're right because they are an experienced team, they have a lot of foreign-based players and so far they've played well.
"I don't think the challenges come much bigger than Iran. We played well against Indonesia but we have to play even better tomorrow to go through to the next round."
But Verbeek believes the the strong Korean team ethic will help to carry them through.
"I think if you look at the quality of the players, their experience and the way that they have played so far, than I can only say that Iran probably have better players than us.
"But although we may not have better players, we have a very strong team and I think we will win the game tomorrow."